Nationwide scholar analysis symposium brings undergrads from throughout nation to campus | Vanderbilt Information

Undergrads from throughout the nation collaborating in VSSA current at 17th annual scholar analysis symposium

Greater than 150 undergraduate college students from establishments throughout the nation shared their analysis and discovery as a part of the elite Vanderbilt Summer season Science Academy on the 17^th annual Pupil Analysis Symposium Aug. 1. VSSA members used the symposium, held on the College of Engineering, as a chance to showcase their analysis accomplishments and the abilities they discovered throughout the summer season whereas working in labs and departments throughout Vanderbilt’s campus.

“As one of many nation’s high universities and a number one medical analysis establishment, Vanderbilt is extending its attain to proficient college students nationwide by VSSA,” mentioned Bowman. “We’re serving to to recruit the following era of biomedical researchers and clinicians and offering them with important undergraduate analysis expertise. As a fruits of their summer season, the analysis symposium permits program members to attach with and study from each other in regards to the unimaginable work that occurred throughout Vanderbilt this summer season.”

Based in 2003 by the Workplace of Biomedical Analysis Training and Coaching within the College of Medication, VSSA supplies undergraduate college students who’re fascinated with careers in medication with the chance to come back to Vanderbilt throughout the summer season to study, conduct analysis and take part in scientific affected person care. This system is co-directed by Assistant Professor of Medical Training and Administration Beth Bowman, and Program Supervisor for the Initiative for Maximizing Pupil Variety on the College of Medication Christina Keeton.

All through the nine-week VSSA program, college students accomplished a analysis venture underneath the management of a analysis mentor and a few college students additionally had the chance to look at scientific affected person care whereas spending time with residents and attending physicians. College students can apply to certainly one of two packages: the Primary Sciences Applications for undergraduates fascinated with careers in analysis, in addition to the Undergraduate Scientific Analysis Internship Program for undergraduates fascinated with working towards medication.

“By means of VSSA, I’ve gathered the instruments and data for making use of to graduate college and for the scholarships that can fund my graduate profession,” mentioned Shania Vel Sanchez, a scholar from the College of New Mexico who researched vaccines with Assistant Professor of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology Kristen Ogden. “I additionally discovered the self-discipline it takes to conduct an intensive analysis venture and the steps it takes to learn a scientific paper, write a scientific summary and develop an oral presentation.”

At present, the VSSA unites 20 totally different analysis packages and presents a broad array of sources, akin to supplementary analysis seminars, enrichment actions, lectures and social outings. College students collaborating in VSSA are supported by a number of funding mechanisms, together with inner, regional and nationwide funding sources.

Alli Harper, a scholar from Berea School in Kentucky, spent the summer season researching the efficacy of FDA-approved medicine when repurposed to suppress untimely labor in sufferers. Harper, who was additionally a part of the College of Medication’s “quick pipeline” program, which inspires underrepresented college students to pursue a profession in medication, labored with Jennifer Herington, assistant professor of pediatrics within the Division of Neonatology.

Harper praised VSSA and the pipeline program for making ready her to pursue a future in medication. “With out this program, I might not have identified the significance of analysis. I can actually say, out of my total undergraduate profession, VSSA and the pipeline program have been essentially the most priceless and rewarding expertise,” she mentioned.

College of Texas at Dallas scholar Isaiah Swann spent his second consecutive summer season doing neuroscience analysis at Vanderbilt. He spent this summer season working with Professor of Biochemistry Bruce Carter.

“Whereas I’ve identified for some time that I need to pursue a mixed M.D./Ph.D., this summer season made me notice how a lot I recognize good mentors. I positively need to develop into a mentor to future generations of potential physician-scientists as soon as I’m able to take action,” Swann mentioned. “This can be a program for individuals who care about neighborhood and mentorship. That is positively an establishment that I see myself attending sooner or later.”

This yr’s symposium was collectively managed with the Vanderbilt Institute for Nanoscale Science and Engineering’s Analysis Expertise for Undergraduates program and the Division of Physics and Astronomy’s Analysis Expertise for Undergraduates program. The partnership created new alternatives for cross-disciplinary collaboration and a capstone expertise for college students to current their analysis.

For extra details about the Vanderbilt Summer season Science Academy, go to medschool.vanderbilt.edu/vssa/ .