WATCH HERE FOR 2009 APPLICATION.

Interested in research? Thinking about applying to graduate school? Curious about the biomedical sciences?

Our program offers:

• An exciting opportunity to spend 8 to 10 weeks working with faculty and graduate students in a research setting, learning new skills and gaining experience
• Weekly seminars and meetings with fellow students and faculty to discuss ongoing research
• Ongoing, personal mentoring about your individual career pathway from OHSU faculty (even after the summer is completed)
• Exposure to medical lectures and physicians, for those students interested in MD-PhD programs
• A paid stipend for all students during the program

Students will work on a specific project with faculty from the following departments and programs:

• Behavioral Neuroscience
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Medical Informatics
• Cell and Developmental Biology
• Molecular and Medical Genetics
• Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
• Neuroscience Graduate Program
• Physiology and Pharmacology
• Program in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences

Who is Eligible?

• Rising college sophomores or juniors who
• • have already taken 1 year of biology or chemistry and
  • have experienced significant economic or educational disadvantage (i.e., economic, educational, ethnic/cultural, family circumstances).
    
• Students from rural areas and / or from under-represented groups in science and medicine are encouraged to apply.

Download Equity Program application here as a fillable Word file or pdf file. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Who qualifies?
• Can International students apply?
• When is the application deadline?
• How do I submit my application?
• What are my chances of being accepted to the program?
• When will I find out if I was accepted?
• I have applied to another OHSU program.  Is this program related?
• Is it possible for me to take other courses during the summer program?
• Can I choose my mentor?
• Where will I be doing my research?
• How much is the stipend?
• I don’t live in Portland.  Is housing available?
• I am a Senior and will be graduating within the year.  What research opportunities can you suggest for me?
• What is the best way to get to campus?

Your application must include:

1. A completed official Equity Program application (may be downloaded here as a fillable Word file or pdf file. 
2. Official college transcript
3. Two Letters of Recommendation from college faculty teachers, with at least one from a science teacher
4. Resume or CV

Application Deadline: 

To be determined

All inquiries, applications, and letters of recommendation should be mailed to:

Laurie Mecham
Diversity Outreach Manager
School of Medicine, L-102
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road
Portland, Oregon 97239
Telephone: 503-494-1681
Fax:          503-494-3400
Email:    equity@ohsu.edu

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:

Who qualifies?

You qualify if you meet all of the following criteria:

1. Undergraduate student who will be entering their Sophomore or Junior year of college.
2. Have experienced significant disadvantage:  economic, educational, ethnic / cultural, family circumstances, etc.
3. You are a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident.
4. By summer, you will have completed at least 1 year of biology or chemistry

Can International students apply?

• Due to the broad range of individual circumstances and the difficulties that they present, this program is limited to U.S. citizens and permanent residents only.

When is the application deadline?

• Application deadline for summer 2009 to be determined 

What are my chances of being accepted to the program?

• There is no way to anticipate the number of applications received each year. The number of available positions usually depends on funding and the availability of mentors. Normally, between 5-7 awards are given each year.

When will I find out if I was accepted?

• We expect to notify all applicants by the first week of April.

I have applied to another OHSU program.  Is this program related?

• Our website shows the nine basic science departments and programs that provide mentors for the Summer Equity Research scholars.  To be considered for the Summer Equity Research program, you must apply to this particular program.

Is it possible for me to take other courses during the summer program?

• Summer Equity Research scholars are in the laboratory full time, roughly 8 – 5 every weekday.  In addition, you will be asked to prepare a presentation of your research project and may be asked to attend other seminars.  Therefore, it is not advisable that you add other coursework during the duration of the program.

Can I choose my mentor?

• We strive to match scholars and mentors based on research interests, however not all OHSU researchers are available to serve as mentors during any given summer.  Therefore, you cannot choose your mentor.

Where will I be doing my research?

• You will be in your mentor’s laboratory on the main OHSU campus in Portland, OR.  Some mentors have lab space at the V.A. facility located on campus.

How much is the stipend?

• The stipend is equivalent to just over $8.00 per hour.  Payments are made at the end of each month.

I don’t live in Portland.  Is housing available?

• Depending on funding constraints, a very limited number of housing placements may be available to students from outside the area.   These students will stay at the Portland State University dorms for the duration of their program.

I am a Senior and will be graduating within the year.  What research opportunities can you suggest for me?

• Research experience is invaluable if you plan to apply to a graduate program.  We recommend that you check the OHSU employment website for research assistant positions.  You can also download a list of other educational opportunities here.

What is the best way to get to campus?

• Not only is parking is at a premium at OHSU, it is costly ($10 per day when available.)  Most employees take public transportation to work. Your stipend will be sufficient for you to purchase bus passes on Tri-Met (the local bus system) that will allow you to travel to campus as well as around the Portland metro area

Where can I get other questions answered?

• Call or email

Laurie Mecham

Diversity Outreach Manager

(503) 494-1681

mechaml@ohsu.edu

equity@ohsu.edu