# Supporting Under-Represented Minorities in Microbiology and Immunology Research (SUMMIR)

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2024 · $367,474

## Abstract

The fields of microbiology and immunology (M&I) have been at the epicenter of recent transformative scientific
discoveries as well as unprecedented public health challenges. Realizing a research and healthcare workforce
that reflects the diverse skills and makeup of our population is critical for the continued advancement of
innovative approaches and broad perspectives to aid in the development of M&I-based therapeutic applications
and novel antimicrobial strategies. Under-represented (UR) groups are projected to exceed 50% by 2045 but
make up just 24% of the science and engineering workforce and thus embody an underutilized talent pool that
must be drawn upon to meet the public health needs of our nation. Achieving this objective begins with exciting
UR students about microbiology and immunology as part of their undergraduate education through experiential
learning that will inspire them to pursue career paths in these fields. Towards this goal, we propose the
Supporting Under-represented Minorities in Microbiology and Immunology Research (SUMMIR) program. The
SUMMIR program will be implemented at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and leverages robust
resources across three professional schools, seven world class research institutions and centers and eight
academic departments. In a ten-week summer internship, interns will gain a comprehensive view of M&I fields
as part of an interdisciplinary training and education pipeline that spans middle school through post-graduate
education. Inter-programmatic pipeline forums and SUMMIR modules feature asset-based approaches and
leadership opportunities that allow interns to experience, first-hand, the benefits of a diverse research
environment as a key outcome of the program. In this stimulating environment, SUMMIR interns will conduct
independent mentored research projects (aim 1), engage in hands-on, active learning courses (aim 2) and
receive multifaceted mentoring support from both faculty and near-peer trainees (aim 3). Diverse cohorts of 20
interns/summer will be recruited from our pipeline programs, partnerships with local HBCUs and MSIs and
national outreach to minority-focused programs and conferences (aim 4). An innovative Laboratory Culture and
Techniques (LCT) nanocourse in the first week of the program will be held in modern teaching labs at the new
science complex of our partner institution, Towson University. The LCT will introduce fundamental concepts and
techniques that preclude a requirement for prior M&I research experience to increase program access and
diversity. All aspects of the SUMMIR program will be rigorously evaluated to assess the effectiveness of modules
in achieving their desired outcomes. Intern accomplishments and career paths provide long term metrics of
program success and will be tracked through a ResearchLogix database and a Linked-In group. These platforms,
along with bi-annual SUMMIR alumni reunions, provide the foundation for a SUMMIR professional netwo...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10848741
- **Project number:** 1R25AI181751-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** BRET A HASSEL
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $367,474
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-16 → 2029-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10848741

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10848741, Supporting Under-Represented Minorities in Microbiology and Immunology Research (SUMMIR) (1R25AI181751-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10848741. Licensed CC0.

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