The program is a peer-mentoring model coordinated by the nursing students. The student coordinators hold office hours for drop-in mentoring. This mentoring program links a first-year medical student with a faculty member for the purpose of conducting biomedical research. The program is funded by the American Heart Association. To apply, a student is required to meet with an interested faculty member to select and develop a project of mutual interest within an ongoing research program.
Priority is given to projects covering some aspect of the cardiovascular system.
The student must also be in good academic standing to apply for funding to participate in this research project. At the end of the research period, students and mentors are required to co-author a final report that describes the outcomes of the study, identifies potential future research related to the project, and summarizes the value of the experience. The program s goal is to encourage members of under-represented groups to pursue careers in heart related scientific research. The program serves up to 12 undergraduate students. Ideally the undergraduate students will begin the program during the summer between their freshman and sophomore years, but juniors and seniors will be considered.