# Summer Program to Increase Diversity in Biomedical Research & Physician Workforce - Renewal 01

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 2023 · $128,520

## Abstract

Abstract
The Summer Program to Increase Diversity in Biomedical Research and the Physician Workforce
encompasses two training initiatives at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Both are
designed to enhance the training experience of underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students who
are interested in pursuing careers in medicine and research. The 8-week summer program for undergraduates
is entitled “The Pritzker School of Medicine Experience in Research (PSOMER).” The 12-week Pritzker
Summer Research Program (SRP) supports the participation of rising second year medical students. The goal
is to provide strongly mentored summer experiences in research, as well as structured programming and
mentoring that will encourage participants to continue into medicine and biomedical research careers. This
grant has been ongoing at the University of Chicago for over 20 years. At the time of the initial award, the goal
was to provide support for SRP participation by Pritzker medical students – a highly diverse group of students,
including higher than average percentages of students who are underrepresented in medicine. Over the years,
the University of Chicago has achieved great success in attracting its medical student graduates to careers in
research and academic medicine, thus supporting efforts to increase the diversity of the faculty at our nation's
medical schools. In 2008, the specific aims of the program were expanded to include PSOMER, developed
specifically for high performing college students who were either members of groups underrepresented in
medicine or were disadvantaged socio-economically. This expansion was prompted by concerns about the
strength of the pipeline channeling such students into medicine and PSOMER was an effort to support and
expand this pipeline. Over the last ten years, PSOMER has supported the preparation of these students for
future success in medicine and biomedical research. In the current funding cycle 19 of the 27 PSOMER
students who completed the program and applied (70%) have been admitted to top medical schools (two in
PhD programs) with 11/19 (58%) of the admissions at the Pritzker School of Medicine. The Summer Program
to Increase Diversity in Biomedical Research and the Physician Workforce has also benefited from a robust
research environment at the University of Chicago, particularly in the mission areas supported by the NHLBI.
Despite being a small institution, the University of Chicago has been highly successful in attracting grant
support. The NHLBI currently funds over 40 research and training programs at the University of Chicago. This
has given us a variety of scientists from whom to choose for student placements, with the goal of identifying as
many mission-related subjects as possible. We are requesting continued support for the research training of 15
students/year. The program enjoys strong institutional support, evidenced by cost-sharing, provision of space,
resources, and train...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10688210
- **Project number:** 5R25HL096383-14
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** CHRISTOPHER O OLOPADE
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $128,520
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2009-05-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10688210

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10688210, Summer Program to Increase Diversity in Biomedical Research & Physician Workforce - Renewal 01 (5R25HL096383-14). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10688210. Licensed CC0.

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