Return to Main Menu

Summer program steers students towards scientific careers MUSC's College of Graduate Studies hosted a welcome reception at the Sebring-Aimar House on June 18 for this year's Summer Undergraduate Research Students. Since 1980, a total of 539 undergraduate students have participated in the program. Perry V. Halushka, M.D., Ph.D., dean of the College of Graduate Studies, welcomed this year's 43 undergraduates.  The reception allowed all participating students and faculty mentors to meet each other and talk on an informal basis. The Summer Undergraduate Research Program introduces students to the world of basic biomedical research, with hands-on experiences they may not have had at this point in their studies. Direct experience with research before their final year of college will allow them to make decisions about graduate school from a sound factual basis. The program continues to reach record-high acceptances—up from 12 at its beginning in 1980. Students are recruited from colleges east of the Mississippi River for a period of 10 weeks. The primary goal of the program is to encourage students to choose careers in scientific research. “This program has been a catalyst to connect undergraduates to higher education and careers in research,” said Hester Young, coordinator and director of student programs at the College of Graduate Studies. “Our goal is to provide undergraduate students with positive experiences during the period of their academic training when they are still making career choices.” The research program has been successfully run for more than 20 years, yielding more than 200 applications each year.  At the beginning of their summer study program, the students choose a faculty mentor of an investigative research project to guide them in learning the required techniques. At the end of the program, students participate in oral presentations of their research projects to other students and faculty. The students are encouraged to participate in the Annual University Student Research Day.  The Summer Undergraduate Research Program is directed by Henry Martin III, Ph.D., with assistance by Young. The program is supported by a National Science Foundation grant, a National Institute of Health grant, the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, various department faculty, and the College of Graduate Studies. The Summer Undergraduate Research Program is one of three Summer Research Recruitment Programs coordinated through the college. Others include: the Summer Health Professions Program and the Governor's Summer High School Program.  For information about the program, visit <http://www2.musc.edu/Graduate/SURP_folder/SUR.html>.