# Summer Research Experience in Translational Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2024 · $103,919

## Abstract

ABSTRACT:
The primary goal of our summer research program is to immerse a selected group of 12
undergraduates (plus 4 supported by Seattle Children’s Research Institute) in a translational
environment of basic neuroscience, neural engineering, and neurological surgery.
In the first 12 years of program operation, we have placed 143 rising freshmen and college
undergraduate students age 18 and older from 80 different schools into the program. Students
have participated in 17 different laboratories engaging a total of 23 faculty, attended 96 separate
Grand Rounds presentations, observed over 500 surgical procedures and/or clinical shadowing
opportunities by following more than 20 different surgeons, and had weekly Q&A sessions
following student-centered presentations by 24 different faculty members. Students are selected
from a national applicant pool with 1200 full submissions being reviewed during the current award.
Several students from our earlier classes have now been accepted into medical school or PhD
neuroscience programs, and many have advanced to neuroscience or premedical studies in
college. Although the program is not exclusive to underrepresented minorities (URM), under the
R25 over 75% of participants have been women and almost 40% have been from URM groups.
While URM students are not the sole focus of the program, it is inherent in our mission to create
and provide conduits into the neurosciences fields for marginalized peoples. The program attracts
and recruits URM students through outreach programs to organizations such as the US
Department of Education TriO Program; the Washington Math, Engineering, Science Achievement
Program; Rainier Scholars; UW’s RISE UP/SKY GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness & Readiness
for Undergraduate Programs) Project; the US DOE-funded UW College Assistance Migrant
Program; the Center for First-generation Student Success; the Society for Advancement of
Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science; the Native Organization of Indigenous
Scholars; the Seattle University Foster Student Program; Chicanos/Latinos for Community
Medicine; and similar groups focused on advancing underrepresented students in STEM fields.
Coordinated recruitment has resulted in increased applications from underrepresented groups.
Through their Program experiences, students gain the self-assurance and confidence that enables
them to take advantage of educational opportunities in STEM fields; they better understand the
scientific process, experience the challenges of translating basic research into clinical application,
and work with mentors who have an interest in their ongoing education. Our graduates report that
these factors all support future careers in science, engineering, and/or medicine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10829335
- **Project number:** 5R25NS095377-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Richard Glen Ellenbogen
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $103,919
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2015-09-30 → 2026-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10829335

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10829335, Summer Research Experience in Translational Neuroscience and Neurological Surgery (5R25NS095377-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10829335. Licensed CC0.

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