Office of Student Research

PURPOSE: Sponsored by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, the purpose of this summer program is to honor the memory of Vivien T. Thomas (1910 – 1985), an African-American surgical technician, who helped develop the procedures used to treat blue baby syndrome in the 1940s. Without any education past high school, Thomas rose above poverty and racism to become a pioneer in cardiac surgery and a teacher to many of the country's most prominent surgeons. Students from the Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy will be chosen to engage in biomedical research within the health profession schools on campus. These high school students will be encouraged to consider careers as health professionals and scientists (e.g., dentist, nurse, pharmacist, physician, scientist, allied health professions).

ACTIVITIES: The program will provide students with: 1) a realistic understanding of the biomedical research environment through hands-on experience; 2) contact with appropriate research and clinical role models; and 3) knowledge of application procedures and financial aid for undergraduate, professional, and graduate schools.

Students will receive Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), CITI Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Animal Care and Use (ACU) training and certificates. Participation includes required attendance at Orientation, a course on Ethical and Responsible Conduct of Research, the Colloquium on Science given by UMB faculty during the training period, and participation in the Student Research Forum in August where summer research activities are presented. Each student will be paired with a 'Big Sib' for the summer who will act as a mentor.

DURATION & FUNDING: The program offers a full-time 8-week research experience during the summer at the University of Maryland Baltimore’s professional schools (Schools of Dentistry, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Social Work). Students will work under the supervision of experienced scientists and be paid bi-weekly for 8 weeks. The program runs from June 16 to August 8, 2008.

QUALIFICATIONS OF APPLICANT: Applicant must be 16 years-old by June 16, 2008, enrolled in and in good standing at the Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Applicants may include current students who will enter college in the fall. Applicants must be citizens, permanent residents or have authorization to work in the United States. Successful applicants are selected on the basis of the submission of a completed application including a transcript and two teacher’s (math and science teachers preferred) recommendations. Prior research experience is not required.

APPLICATIONS & DEADLINE: Completed applications for the summer must be received by April 18, 2008. The application and instructions are available at your school (contact Maurice Haskins), by e-mail and here:

• Application (MSWord)
• Parental Consent Form (MSWord)

EVALUATION, NOTIFICATION & AFFIRMATION: Applicants will be notified no later than May 30th of the outcome of the review process. All finalists will be interviewed to determine a research interest and then meet with prospective mentors. Upon receipt of an offer for summer research, applicants are expected to accept within seven (7) calendar days.

Office of Student Research
University of Maryland School of Medicine
10 S. Pine Street, MSTF 300C
Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
(410) 706-0657
cogunbo@som.umaryland.edu