# NHLBI Summer Training Experience to Increase Diversity in Health-Related Research

> **NIH NIH R25** · HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL · 2024 · $119,448

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The goal of the proposed program is focused on increasing the number of well-trained minority
undergraduate students who enter doctoral training and biological science research careers in
the biomedical sciences and do research in areas of interest to NHLBI. The application seeks
funds to support 14 undergraduate students/yr for summer research in biomedical research
such as cardiovascular, pulmonary or hematological disorders who will participate in the 10
week Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program (SHURP) of the Division of Medical
Sciences based at Harvard Medical School. There are currently 551 alumni and 97% of them
have or are planning to continue training in the biomedical sciences. The objectives are (1) to
increase students’ knowledge of biomedical research and career choices, (2) to improve their
research-related skills and confidence in those skills, (3) to stimulate their interest in pursuing
careers in biomedical research, especially in areas of interest to NHLBI, (4) to improve the
students’ ability to select an appropriate program and to prepare a successful application, (5) to
provide intra-program and post-program mentoring, (6) to assist the program alumni in building
a professional network. The major focus of the program is research in laboratories of Harvard
Medical School faculty members who are successful research mentors in the PhD and MD/PhD
programs and who do research in areas of interest to NHLBI. Laboratory research is
supplemented by required weekly student-faculty research discussion seminars, training in the
Responsible Conduct of Research, career exploration and development workshops,
participation in the Leadership Alliance Symposium, mentoring by graduate students, and other
opportunities to meet faculty and graduate and medical students. Applicants are recruited
nationwide through personal contacts with undergraduate program directors and SHURP
alumni, promotion of the program at minority science student research or career conferences,
mailings to science program directors, and print and on-line advertisements. Students are
selected from over 500+ applicants/yr on the basis of their interest in research, intellectual
competence, and teacher assessment of cognitive and personal skills. The program is
evaluated by the trainees, faculty research mentors, trainees’ college science advisors. Follow-
up activities include regular contact with trainees to provide advice and networking
opportunities, a twice-yearly alumni newsletter, a periodically-updated alumni directory, campus
visits, and informal telephone, letter, and email contacts with program alumni. These contacts
also allow us to track the applicants and their career paths.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10840916
- **Project number:** 5R25HL121029-10
- **Recipient organization:** HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** Gisselle A Velez-Ruiz
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $119,448
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-04-01 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10840916

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10840916, NHLBI Summer Training Experience to Increase Diversity in Health-Related Research (5R25HL121029-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10840916. Licensed CC0.

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