Pittsburgh Undergraduate Research Diversity Program (PURDiP)
The Pittsburgh Undergraduate Research Diversity Program (PURDiP) is a paid summer training program that is hosted by the Department of Medicine’s Vascular Medicine Institute (VMI). PURDiP is open to minority (African American, Hispanic/Latino American, or Native American) undergraduate students interested in biomedical research. The 10-week summer program is held on the University of Pittsburgh’s Oakland campus. Students will work with a designated faculty member for 8-10 weeks. Training will incorporate didactic lectures, seminars, workshops, group homework, hands-on research and presentations by the trainees.
2024 Program Dates:
May 20 – July 26
APPLY HERE
All applications due by March 1, 2024.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
Mission Statement
Diversity in the scientific workforce promotes the recruitment of the most talented researchers from all ethnic groups and improves the ability to recruit subjects from diverse backgrounds into clinical trials, collectively helping to address and eliminate health disparity. Our mission is to promote the advancement of individuals from historically underrepresented groups in biomedical sciences.
Goals
- To enhance competitiveness of the students’ post baccalaureate research program applications by enriching their undergraduate portfolios by engaging the students in cutting-edge mentored research.
- To help students master skills needed to navigate the application process for graduate and other health profession careers with specialized professional development training.
- To provide didactic and group study in the fundamentals of biomedical research.
Program Details
PURDiP provides an exciting opportunity for undergraduate students to participate in an intensive summer of cutting-edge research to help prepare and motivate students to enroll in MD/PhD and PhD programs in the health professions. With a mission to promote diversity in the scientific workforce, research opportunities in PURDiP largely focus on biomedical research in hematologic, pulmonary, cardiology, and sleep disorders. Research in these areas is especially needed to help eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities in the US.
Program and Activities
- Hands-on lab experience: PURDiP students will be matched with innovative researchers at the University of Pittsburgh. Students work directly with this research mentor and will be expected to work in the mentor’s laboratory full-time throughout the 10-week program. At the end of the summer, students present their work at an in-house research symposia and a local undergraduate research conference.
- Biomedical Research and Health Disparities: PURDiP students will learn fundamental principles of research ethics and regulations, different types of research studies, and how these studies are applied to addressing health disparities.
- Professional Development: PURDiP students will be paired with a professional physician-scientist mentor to build their support network for years to come. Students will also attend weekly lectures, seminars, or workshops to learn about careers in the biomedical sciences, graduate programs, and medical school application process. Lectures include time management, effective learning, mentorship, mental health and wellness, and use of social media. Mock interviews will be conducted to prepare students for medical school applications.
- Networking Events: Students will network with current graduate and medical students at the University of Pittsburgh. Additionally, students will connect with PURDiP graduates, as part of the “PURDiP for life” networking events.
- Research toolbox training: PURDiP students will learn how to leverage common digital research tools. With the help of the University of Pittsburgh Health Science Library System, students will learn about publicly available resources related to molecular biology, data analysis, citation management, and literature searching. For example, programs used to analyze next gen sequencing and microarray data, identify genetic variations, or differential regulation of proteins and genes with disease.
- Scientific Seminars: Throughout the summer students will attend cutting-edge research talks on biostatistics, genetics, microbiology, RNA and epigenetics.
Participation Policy
All students must be available for the complete program and are expected to work in a laboratory full-time throughout the 10-week program. Please plan vacations and other commitments accordingly.
Stipend
PURDiP students are provided a $4800 stipend for their involvement in the program. The stipend will be paid in monthly installments, the first on June 28, 2024, and the second on July 26, 2024. Receipt of the stipend is contingent on timely and full completion of all I9 related hiring materials upon arrival on campus for the program.
Format
PURDiP 2024 will be held in person on-campus to provide hands-on laboratory experience and one-on-one interaction with mentors.
Housing
Participants will reside on the University of Pittsburgh Main Campus in a fully air-conditioned dormitory. Housing is provided on campus with no additional cost to the student. In the past, PURDiP students have stayed in Irvis or Panther Hall. Students will be paired with a roommate in the dormitory.
Meals
Some meals are provided as part of the program. Students will be responsible for most of their own meals and other expenses. Panther Funds will be provided to students to help defray the cost of meals.
Travel
Financial support will be available to alleviate the cost of travel for students who live outside of western PA/eastern Ohio area.
PURDiP will arrange air travel for students out of the area. Air transportation will be arranged through Anthony Travel. The cost of your round-trip coach flight will be paid for by PURDiP.
Participants may use ground transportation as a mode of transportation. Please talk to the program director about your situation upon acceptance. Parking is available at a discounted rate for PURDiP students. Students who would like to have their personal car on campus can purchase a parking pass though the university at ~ $250 per week at your own expense.
COVID Notice
All PURDiP participants will be required to adhere to university-mandated COVID-19 guidelines.
Apply
Important Dates
The application period is now open!
Final application deadline: March 1, 2024
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
Applicant will be notified of application status by April 1, 2024, at the latest.
Acceptance must be received within 10 days.
Eligibility
- PURDiP targets applicants who have traditionally been underrepresented in health-related science: African American, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indians, Alaska natives, Native Hawaiians, Other Pacific Islander
- Must be a US citizen, permanent resident or non-citizen national
- Must have successfully completed at least one undergraduate year at an accredited school or university at the time of enrollment in PURDiP.
- Not covered by an NIH grant during PURDiP.
All applications due by March 1, 2024.
Contact
Eugenia Cifuentes-Pagano @ PURDIP@pitt.edu