The American Physician Scientists Association (APSA) is launching its pilot Virtual Summer Research Program (VSRP). This program aims to connect mentees that would like VIRTUAL lab research experience with mentors for the summer of 2020. This is part of APSA’s initiative to increase the diversity of the physician-scientist career.
In particular, we are seeking to connect with researchers at all levels who are willing to supply mentored virtual summer research opportunities for undergraduate students and post-bacs intending to apply to physician-scientist training programs in the future, including to MD/DO-PhD programs. Note that it is not necessary for a mentor to be part of an MD/DO-PhD program or hold such a degree themselves.
Also please note that this mentorship can involve introducing the mentee to your research and the field. You can expose your mentee to important research papers including papers from your lab group. Furthermore, they can assist with scientific writing including literature review projects. It is not required for mentors to create an independent project.
We have designed an algorithm that will match you with students and you will receive their resumes. You will then have the option to pick which student(s) you would like to join your lab and may request interviews from your potential mentees before making a final decision.
The research program runs for four full-time weeks starting July 13th, 2020, with flexibility for extending the experience.
In order to participate, it is required that:
1) Lab mentors meet their mentees virtually at least once per week.
2) The lab PI meets the mentee at least twice during the experience.
3) The student spends 4 full-time weeks virtually associated with the lab. This equates to a minimum of 160 hours overall, which can be spread out over more than four weeks if necessary.
4) The mentor helps the student prepare a short final presentation based on their VSRP work for the Symposium.
These research opportunities are not expected to be funded, although please let us know if you do have funded opportunities available as many students will come from low-income backgrounds.
These forms must be in by 12:00 pm Eastern time on Tuesday, July 7th. That evening, we will email participants a list of potential candidates for their lab. They will then have the opportunity to coordinate with students of interests, conduct interviews, and decide on a schedule, for a start date of July 13th, 2020.
Please visit our website for more details about the program and requirements: https://physicianscientists.site-ym.com/page/summer-research-pilot-program. Please fill out the interest form on the website to participate.
Please reach out to Yentli.SotoAlbrecht@physicianscientists.org and Briana.Macedo@physicianscientists.org if you have any questions.
Read the full article at: https://physicianscientists.site-ym.com/page/summer-research-pilot-program