# UAMS Summer Undergraduate Research Program to Increase Diversity in Research

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIV OF ARKANSAS FOR MED SCIS · 2021 · $105,521

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
U.S. institutions of higher education have not been as successful as desired at attracting, enrolling, and
graduating underrepresented (UR) or disadvantaged students who later pursue research and health professional
careers. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) has a number of faculty who engage in
research that fulfills the NHLBI mission, with more than $20 million in total research funding from NIH and $5
million in research funding from other agencies. Thus, UAMS is well positioned to help address shortfalls in the
diversity of researchers in cardiovascular, pulmonary, or hematologic areas by providing an active pool of
potential research mentors for UR and disadvantaged undergraduate students. The UAMS Summer
Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) to Increase Diversity in Research was implemented in 2012 to
increase the diversity of students entering these research fields; program funding was renewed in 2016. The
overall goal of the SURP is to provide students with research, mentoring, and networking experiences; real-life
surgical observations; and simulated cardiovascular demonstrations to increase their interest in careers in
cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic research. During the first funding period, approximately 95% of
participants were expected to complete a bachelor’s degree, with 75% continuing education in a graduate or
health profession program. During the second funding period, several SURP participants obtained their
bachelor’s degrees and enrolled in graduate or medical school. Since the program started in 2012, 78% of all
participants have completed a bachelor’s degree program; 54% are currently enrolled or have completed
graduate or medical school programs. Most program participants who have not continued on to a health-related
or graduate degree program are either preparing to apply to a graduate/health profession program or still actively
engaged in research. The SURP has been successful at providing students with positive summer research
experiences and long-term mentor-mentee relationships. To continue to build on the program’s success, we
propose the following aims: 1) recruit a diverse group of academically talented and enthusiastic undergraduate
students interested in pursuing careers in cardiovascular, pulmonary, or hematologic research; 2) support and
cultivate successful and rewarding mentor-mentee relationships; 3) develop and promote student leadership and
communication skills; 4) stimulate underrepresented and disadvantaged students’ interest in research and
health-related careers; and 5) evaluate the program and its activities annually to ensure student satisfaction and
program success. Exposing underrepresented and disadvantaged students to basic, clinical, and/or translational
research will provide a firm introduction and foundation to foster interest in research and health-related careers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10114545
- **Project number:** 2R25HL108825-11
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF ARKANSAS FOR MED SCIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert E McGehee
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $105,521
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2011-06-15 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10114545

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10114545, UAMS Summer Undergraduate Research Program to Increase Diversity in Research (2R25HL108825-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10114545. Licensed CC0.

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