Summer Program to Increase Diversity in Biomedical Research & Physician Workforce - Renewal 01

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Abstract The Summer Program to Increase Diversity in Biomedical Research and the Physician Workforce encompasses two training initiatives at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Both are designed to enhance the training experience of underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students who are interested in pursuing careers in medicine and research. The 8-week summer program for undergraduates is entitled “The Pritzker School of Medicine Experience in Research (PSOMER).” The 12-week Pritzker Summer Research Program (SRP) supports the participation of rising second year medical students. The goal is to provide strongly mentored summer experiences in research, as well as structured programming and mentoring that will encourage participants to continue into medicine and biomedical research careers. This grant has been ongoing at the University of Chicago for over 20 years. At the time of the initial award, the goal was to provide support for SRP participation by Pritzker medical students – a highly diverse group of students, including higher than average percentages of students who are underrepresented in medicine. Over the years, the University of Chicago has achieved great success in attracting its medical student graduates to careers in research and academic medicine, thus supporting efforts to increase the diversity of the faculty at our nation's medical schools. In 2008, the specific aims of the program were expanded to include PSOMER, developed specifically for high performing college students who were either members of groups underrepresented in medicine or were disadvantaged socio-economically. This expansion was prompted by concerns about the strength of the pipeline channeling such students into medicine and PSOMER was an effort to support and expand this pipeline. Over the last ten years, PSOMER has supported the preparation of these students for future success in medicine and biomedical research. In the current funding cycle 19 of the 27 PSOMER students who completed the program and applied (70%) have been admitted to top medical schools (two in PhD programs) with 11/19 (58%) of the admissions at the Pritzker School of Medicine. The Summer Program to Increase Diversity in Biomedical Research and the Physician Workforce has also benefited from a robust research environment at the University of Chicago, particularly in the mission areas supported by the NHLBI. Despite being a small institution, the University of Chicago has been highly successful in attracting grant support. The NHLBI currently funds over 40 research and training programs at the University of Chicago. This has given us a variety of scientists from whom to choose for student placements, with the goal of identifying as many mission-related subjects as possible. We are requesting continued support for the research training of 15 students/year. The program enjoys strong institutional support, evidenced by cost-sharing, provision of space, resources, and training by the BSD and Pritzker School of Medicine. Finally, the University of Chicago provides a robust research environment to support the goals of this NHLBI supported program.