University of Maryland School of Public Health Summer Training and Research (UM STAR)
The University of Maryland School of Public Health Summer Training and Research (STAR) program is designed to provide traditionally under-represented and disadvantaged undergraduate students with two consecutive summers of a 10-week research training and career development program to enhance their potential to apply for and complete PhD degrees in biomedical and behavioral science relevant to preventing and treating cardiovascular disease. UM STAR has been funded for the past 7 years by a grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Over 40 UM STAR Trainees have completed the program to date and the Program enrolls 6-8 new Trainees every summer.
The Specific Objectives of the UM STAR Program are to:
· Enhance research skills and experience necessary to be competitive graduate school applicants in cardiovascular and related disease research areas
· Enhance awareness of the process, practice, and ethics underlying scientific research
· Prepare trainees for graduate school and a research career
· Provide quality mentoring
· Increase knowledge of landmark and breakthrough research on the causes and prevention of cardiovascular and related diseases
· Have Fun!
UM STAR Summer Program Activities:
Faculty Mentoring
Research Laboratory Experience
Monday Research Updates
Wednesday Lunch with Visiting Guests
Friday Journal Club
Friday Research Ethics Training (First Years)
Friday Research Training and Professional Development (Second Years)
Additional Professional Development Activities
Poster and Oral Presentations
Eligibility criteria:
· Citizen or permanent resident of the US;
· Enrolled full-time at a 4-year college or university;
· Currently a sophomore or junior
· Have not already completed a Bachelor’s degree;
· 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average;
· Come from under-represented minority group, disadvantaged background, and/or have a disability
· Under-represented minority: African American or black, Hispanic/Latino, Native American or Pacific Islander
· Disadvantaged background: First generation college student within the immediate family
· Disability: Physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
· Desire to pursue a PhD in biomedical or behavioral sciences;
· Willing to commit to the program for 2 consecutive summers.
How to Apply
To apply for UM STAR, please submit:
1. Completed Application Form
2. Official Undergraduate Transcript (original)
3. One-Page Personal Statement (see additional information) a letter of application which must address 3 questions (found online)
4. Two Letters of Recommendation (both from faculty members, with one being a professor who had you in a behavioral, life, or biological science course).
This material must be submitted on-line at the CIC SROP Application site
The deadline to complete the online application is Tuesday, February 10, 2015.
Further questions can be addressed to: James Hagberg, PhD (hagberg@umd.edu (link sends e-mail)
