School of Arts and Sciences

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Fellowship

Deadline

February 28, 2007 by 4:00 p.m.

Application

Application materials are available on the Biological Sciences Web site

Program

The Summer 2007 University of Pittsburgh Undergraduate Researchers Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship is funded by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). This grant was awarded to the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh to facilitate the development of a strong, diverse community of undergraduate biologists.

To further this goal, summer fellowship recipients will spend the first two weeks of the program working together on a common research project. The following nine weeks will be spent in the lab of a Department of Biological Sciences faculty member. Students new to undergraduate biological research (mentees) will partner with more experienced undergraduate researchers (mentors). The mentors will help orient mentees to the department and help them launch their experience in undergraduate research. Throughout the summer, all fellows will participate in both an undergraduate and faculty seminar series that will help students learn about research laboratories and other resources throughout the department.

Fellowship Dates

Group Project: May 21- June 1, 2007

Faculty Research Labs: June 5- August 3, 2007

Requirements

The University of Pittsburgh Undergraduate Researchers Howard Hughes Medical Institute Summer 2007 Fellowship provides funds to University of Pittsburgh undergraduates for immersion in a research experience and participation as an active member in our biology department community. As such, a full time commitment is expected. During the duration of the fellowship, recipients may not enroll in summer courses and outside employment is highly discouraged. The following activities are required:

  1. Participation in the two-week group project.
  2. Intensive “hands-on” scientific training in an established research laboratory during the following nine weeks of the summer program. The majority of this work should occur during standard work hours to support the development of our mentored research community.
  3. Participation in a weekly undergraduate seminar series.
  4. Attendance at a weekly faculty seminar series.
  5. Presentation at a symposium at the end of the summer.
  6. Evaluation of the program and response to post-graduation surveys.

Matching New Fellows with Labs

To build a stronger community of researcher, this grant provides funds to start students in research early in their careers. Approximately half of the fellowship recipients will be new to undergraduate research, and many will be finishing their freshman year. New students will have the opportunity to learn about specific faculty research laboratories at an Undergraduate Research Fair (Thursday February 15, 2007; 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.; Langley A219) and/or can read about research labs at http://www.pitt.edu/~biohome/Dept/Frame/faculty.htm. New students will list five labs of interest on their application. Faculty and new students will have the opportunity to meet at an interview prior to student placement in the lab. Acceptance into the fellowship will be dependent on acceptance into a faculty lab.

Stipend and Housing

Each fellow will be awarded a stipend of $5500 which includes a housing allowance. Students needing University of Pittsburgh housing may elect to have housing fees (approximately $25/ day) deducted from the allowance in exchange for double occupancy housing in University of Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Hall.

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