Entry ID PR-48006
At a glance
The Aspirnaut program is a K-20 STEM Pipeline for Diversity aimed at increasing the diversity of the STEM workforce. The summer research internship offers hands-on, mentored laboratory experiences for undergraduate students interested in biomedical research. Interns engage in their research projects, meet with mentors, interact with guest speakers, and present their research at a symposium
Participants conduct research activities at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). Research assignments are coordinated under the direction of Billy Hudson, Ph.D., Scientific Director for the Aspirnaut™ Summer Research Internship Program and Director of the Vanderbilt Center for Matrix Biology. Interns join a mentor research lab and work with a mentor on the topic of renal biology and disease. Interns are fully engaged in their research project and meet regularly to discuss their projects with scientific mentors and to interact with distinguished guest speakers. At the end of the program, interns prepare abstracts, give oral and poster presentations to their peers and mentors, and attend the KUH Undergraduate Research Conference.
Who can apply
- Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale and who are in good standing at their primary institution are eligible. Rising seniors should have at least one semester remaining of their undergraduate education at the start of the summer program.
- Applicants should have completed college biology and chemistry or biochemistry courses.
- Candidates should demonstrate interest in/potential to pursue graduate study (i.e., Ph.D., M.D., M.S.) toward an advanced degree in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields and biomedical research.
- Recruitment of participants includes those who identify as underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences as described in NIH’s NOT-OD-20-031 (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-20-031.html)
- Interns must be a documented U.S. citizen or non-citizen national or permanent resident in possession of an alien registration receipt card (I-551) or other legal document of such status.
- International citizens studying in the United States with an F-1 visa are not eligible for these spots. Individuals seeking asylum or refugees are not eligible.
- Interns must have valid, current health insurance at the start of and for the duration of the program.
- 2 letters of recommendation submitted on your behalf from college faculty (at least 1 should be from an instructor of a math or science course).
- Official transcript showing academic coursework to date, including Fall 2022 semester final grades
Contact
Phone: ) (615) 343-6111
Vanderbilt University Medical Center Aspirnaut Program 1161 21st Ave South Nashville, TN 37232
