# Undergraduate Research Experience in Transdisciplinary Benign Urologic Disease.

> **NIH NIH R25** · LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO · 2021 · $108,000

## Abstract

Data and technology have been instrumental in furthering our understanding of human health, including
many benign urologic diseases. Studies employing next-generation sequencing technologies found evidence of
bacterial and viral communities in the urine of healthy women and men, debunking the myth that “urine is sterile.”
Similarly, data has been instrumental in improving patient care. Mining of electronical medical records has
uncovered associations between lower urinary tract symptoms and patient populations, identifying new
opportunities and procedures to improve patient quality of life. The NIDDK-funded Loyola Urinary Education and
Research Collaborative (LUEREC) has been at the forefront of research in pelvic floor disorders, harnessing
data to drive discovery. Our translational research team includes surgeon scientists and basic scientists with
complementary expertise in lower urinary tract disorders, microbiology, and informatics.
 The proposed program will engage undergraduate (rising Junior and Senior) and recent post-baccalaureate
trainees in hands-on research in benign urologic diseases at Loyola University Chicago. Over 12-weeks, cohorts
of 6 trainees will work closely with student, faculty, and clinical researchers in the LUEREC community. We have
identified three educational aims for the proposed training program. Trainees will:
 • Aim 1: Gain exposure to current research areas in benign urologic disease,
 • Aim 2: Establish proficiency conducting hypothesis-driven research, and
 • Aim 3: Develop skills to synthesize, interpret and present scientific research.
 Formal training in benign urologic disease research and data science will be blended with hands-on
experience. This transdisciplinary training will provide trainees with in-demand skills for future careers in
biomedicine. Trainees will work in small groups, thus facilitating peer-learning. Enrichment activities have been
designed to provide trainees with exposure to research and careers in urology, as well as to graduate and
medical school. The proposed program also includes several formal and informal training activities to develop
the skills necessary to effectively present scientific research; each trainee will produce two written documents of
his/her research over the course of the 12-week program, in addition to oral and poster presentations.
 Recruitment for the proposed project will be conducted at a national level, enhancing diversity of the cohort,
based upon racial and ethnic background, gender, and/or financial resources. Loyola University Chicago is
committed to increasing diversity in undergraduate and graduate education while delivering the premier
undergraduate educational experience in Chicago. The proposed program administration is passionate about
education and is recognized for their dedication to teaching and mentorship with numerous awards and honors.
Through the proposed mentored research experiences, trainees will enrich their college education while ga...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10133644
- **Project number:** 5R25DK122954-02
- **Recipient organization:** LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Catherine Elizabeth Putonti
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $108,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-04-01 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10133644

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10133644, Undergraduate Research Experience in Transdisciplinary Benign Urologic Disease. (5R25DK122954-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10133644. Licensed CC0.

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