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Program introduces students to research by Kathryne Young Public Relations Fifty-three MUSC students from the colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dental, and Health Professions have enrolled in an eight- to 12-week program this summer to experience the research environment that contributes to many of their disciplines.    The Summer Health Professions Research Program, an ongoing graduate studies program to introduce students in the health professions to biomedical research, allows them to work in a research environment under the guidance of an experienced investigator.    Students may participate in this program at any point of study in their MUSC career.    “This program is a good opportunity for students who are not necessarily in a program that is research oriented,” said Debbie Gaskins, director of summer programs for the College of Graduate Studies. Therefore, students with extensive research experience or who have their Ph.D. research degrees are not eligible for the program. Rising second-year students are recommended for the program because this is most likely the only year they will have a free summer. The research projects offered by the program vary far and wide and are located throughout the campus.     Three research areas, short term research training in metabolic diseases, short-term research training for minority medical students in cardiovascular research, and short-term research training in oral and craniofacial biology.   In the short term research training in metabolic diseases there are five different categories. These categories consist of diabetes, renal and vascular pathophysiology, signal transduction and human disease, health disparities, and new technologies and human disease research. Categories such as cardiac hypertrophy and failure, developmental cardiovascular biology, and metabolic syndrome and health disparities fall under the short-term research training for minority medical students in cardiovascular research. Lastly, subjects like cell signaling, craniofacial biology, oral microbiology, and informatics are studied under the short term research training in oral and craniofacial biology.    Each participating student is asked to find a sponsor. These sponsors can be found at http://mygrants.itlab.musc.edu. Particpating students are given a stipend of at least $300 a week for 10 to 12 weeks. Also, an allowance of at least $500 will be provided to the host for supplies. A final progress report, a presentation of the research results to other participants and faculty members, and participation in the university’s Student Research Day on Nov. 4, are required for completion of the program.   “This is a program for others to have an opportunity to see the nuts and bolts of what goes into biomedical research that hopefully will assist them in their careers,” Gaskins said.   Friday, July 8, 2005 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.