Summer Programs - Heersink School of Medicine

We plan and host clinical and research undergraduate summer programs that provide an enhanced scientific and professional preparation for students aspiring toward a career in medicine or biomedical sciences. The listed programs provide discipline-specific training and opportunities for smaller-scale connections within the overall community.

Preparation for Graduate and Medical Education (PARAdiGM)

This program is an NIH/NHLBI R25 funded 8-week program to introduce outstanding undergraduates from diverse and underrepresented minority backgrounds to the exciting career options of being both a scientific investigator and a practicing physician. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents.

Summer in Biomedical Sciences (SIBS) Undergraduate Research Program

This program is an 8-week program where undergraduate students are instructed in the techniques of modern biology while becoming integrated members of a vibrant clinical and scientific community. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents.

Blazer Broadening Representation And Inclusion in Neuroscience (Blazer BRAIN)

The 8-week program provides students with excellent scientific aptitude the opportunity to experience independent research in the neurosciences under the guidance of a UAB faculty member. Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents.

Kidney Undergraduate Research Program (KURE)

An NIH/NIDDK R25, the KURE (Kidney Undergraduate Research Experience) program gives you the opportunity to learn about advances in kidney research and be mentored as you work on your own research project in a lab within UAB’s kidney community of investigators. This 8-week program allows you the unique opportunity to gain experience in the field of biomedical research.

HudsonAlpha Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Genomic Medicine (SURE-GM)

SURE-GM (Summer Undergraduate Research Experience in Genomic Medicine) is UAB's NIH/NHGRI R25 funded summer program for outstanding undergraduates who want to explore the potential of a future career as scientific investigators in the field of genomics. This 2-year summer program is a partnership with HudsonAlpha and UAB, where students will spend their first summer at HudsonAlpha and then the second year conducting research at UAB.

Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP), a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Funded Program

The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. It is a free 6-week summer enrichment residential programs for first and second year college students, developed from a partnership between the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Heersink School of Medicine, School of Dentistry, School of Optometry, and School of Health Professions, home to the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy programs. Application info can be found at this link.

Surgery Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE)

The Surgery Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), offered by the Department of Surgery at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), provides promising undergraduate students who are interested in a medical career with research experience and knowledge that 1) increases their competitiveness for admission to medical school and 2) encourages them to consider careers in academic medicine, particularly the field of surgery. The program builds on a solid foundation of undergraduate research that already exists at UAB. Application can be accessed through this link.

Short Term Research Experience for Under-Represented Persons (STEP-UP)

STEP-UP program is a biomedical research experience for undergraduate students. This program is coordinated at UAB and two other coordinating centers. Students are linked with experienced research mentors at the institution they choose for the summer experience, which may be their home institution or one near their hometown. It is open to students across the country who are interested in exploring research careers. Application can be accessed through this link.

RAMP-UP

The UAB MHRC invites rising sophomore undergraduate students to participate in its two-year intensive eight-week Research in Aging through Mentorship and Practice (RAMP-UP) program, which takes place in June and July. RAMP-UP provides activities focused on mentored research experiences and education in research regarding senior adults, aging, and health disparities research for underrepresented students in MSTEM fields and combining it with structured career planning and guidance to increase the likelihood that students will complete graduate studies and enter the research workforce.

URiM Medical Student Summer Mentored Research Opportunity

The Department of Otolaryngology at UAB Heersink School of Medicine is seeking an underrepresented in medicine (URiM) medical student for a paid 8-week research opportunity. The goal of the program is to provide URiM medical students research knowledge, research experience and broad exposure to the field of Otolaryngology. Students will complete an 8-week mentored research program while learning core research techniques.