GOAL

The overarching goal of this R25 program is to enhance the diversity of the biomedical, behavioral and clinical research workforce by providing research experiences and related opportunities to undergraduate and health professional students from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups that are nationally underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences, as defined by the National Institutes of Health. The program is supported by an NIH Short-term Training Grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Students are recruited from Kentucky universities and colleges as well as others attending schools outside of Kentucky. At least eight summer research fellowships will be awarded each year. This summer research program is open to all eligible students regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age.

SELECTION PROCESS

The program is directed towards students who have completed at least their sophomore year of undergraduate education. Selection requirements include: 1. academics: G.P.A. > 2.8 (on a scale of 4), 2. student transcripts, 3. a letter stating the student’s interest in research and 4. a letter of support from a faculty member/advisor at the student’s institution. Applications will be reviewed by the program director and selected applicants will be sent a letter of acceptance. A list of possible mentors and a description of their research will be sent to each student selected for the program.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The research experience is for 10 weeks during the Summer. Stipends (financial assistance for living expenses) are approximately $4000. Student projects are designed to give the student an in-depth, hands-on exposure to biomedical research. It is expected that the student will provide a one-page summary of the Summer experience to the program director within 30 days after completion of the project. In addition, the student will present his/her research at a local research forum at the University of Louisville. Opportunities also exist for paid travel for selected individuals to present at regional or national science meetings. Page 2 of 2 Revised: 10/12/22

POTENTIAL RESEARCH AREAS

The research participants in this program are faculty from both basic science and clinical departments at the University of Louisville. Research areas include:
• diabetes
• atherosclerosis
• hypertension
• heart failure
• tissue and organ transplantation
• aging
• septic and hemorrhagic shock
• sleep
• respiratory disorders
• biomedical engineering Research techniques often used in this program may include:
• measurements of blood pressure, flow and/or cardiac function
• in vivo and/or in vitro function of small microvessels
• cell culture • genetic knockouts and viral transfections
• Western, Northern and Southern Blot analyses
• HPLC, radioimmunoassy, RT-PCR

APPLICATION FORM:  To be updated Fall 2023

For more information concerning this program please contact:

Jeff C. Falcone, Ph.D.
Program Director
Department of Physiology
Health Sciences Center, Bldg A-1115
500 South Preston Street
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292
Phone: (502)852-5371 Fax: (502)852-6239
jeff.falcone@louisville.edu

Please view SUMMER RESEARCH DAY held on Friday, August  2, 2019.
Great job!!  Thank you all for spending your summer with us.