Short-Term Research Education Program to Increase Diversity in Health-Related Research

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The objective of the Short-Term Research Education Program (STER) at the University of Pennsylvania is to provide undergraduates and research-oriented medical students from diverse backgrounds – particularly students from nationally underrepresented backgrounds (UR), disadvantaged, or disabled students – with a short-term, intensive laboratory research experience for 8-10 weeks during the summer at Penn. The long-term aim is to increase the pool of these students who are committed to careers in cardiovascular, pulmonary, hematologic diseases or sleep disorders. Training is provided by a core group of trainers who have extensive experience as mentors to trainees at all levels and represent a spectrum of scientific disciplines and clinically relevant research related to heart, lung and blood. Each trainee devotes approximately 90% of their time to hands-on laboratory research, experimental design, data interpretation, directed readings, lab meetings, and journal clubs. Trainees participate in a scientific seminar series presented by University of Pennsylvania faculty and receive supplemental training in academically relevant areas, including scientific presentation skills and the responsible conduct of research. In addition, trainees participate in various peer-networking and career- development activities and workshops. Trainees present their work in at least one formal setting at the end of the program and are encouraged to continue their association with the laboratory; undergraduates may return for a second summer research experience. Mechanisms are in place for measuring the effectiveness of the program’s various components and improving the training experience over time.