NIDDK-Charles Drew University of Medicine and Sciences National High School Student Summer Research Program
In 1995, the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities (formerly the Office of Research on Minority Health, NIH) and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases initiated the National High School Student Summer Research Apprentice Program. The purpose of the Program is to increase the number of ethnic minorities who are involved in bio-medical research. Currently, there is a critical shortage of minorities (Hispanic /Latino, African Americans, Native American, Asian Pacific Islanders, and Alaskan Native population) in this field. As a result, critical insights and perspectives are lacking in the development, implementation and evaluation of a growing and important field; Biomedical Research. The NHSSSRP is collaboration between NIDDK and Charles Drew University of Medicine and Sciences. While NIDDK provides funding and program oversight, the day-to-day coordination of the program is handled by Charles Drew University. The program is designed to provide the students with an opportunity to work at a bio- medical facility (usually a college or university) near their homes. Each student is paired with a seasoned researcher and assigned to a research team. The students work with staff on a specific bio-medical research project. The 8-week program provides the students with real experiences including opportunities to:
- " learn" what bio-medical research is by being actively involved in a project
- be a member of a "team"; to understand "collective" responsibility
- visit Washington D.C. and participate in a "project competition" at NIH office in August
Many students find the trip to D.C. and the project competition to be the highlight of their summer. Parents are invited and often attend the presentations to support and applaud their child's work; hours of preparation and rehearsal time that have been invested in these presentations- often with the assistance and encouragement of their project mentors.
Page last updated: November 25, 2008
