PROmoTE

By working in teams of pre-matriculating, pre-matriculating MD, and Post-Baccalaureate scholars under the mentorship of successful MD and PhD researchers - PROmoTE scholars receive a first hand look into effective team science. Throughout the summer students develop skills in both basic and clinical sciene. 

• This scholar team will work together on a single research project, with each bringing a diverse and unique set of strengths to the research team. 
• To inform the scholar team about the science and medicine of kidney disease, PROmoTE scholars participate in a novel course that will start with the development of critical thinking about disease physiology and end with developing knowledge about clinical analysis of kidney disease pathology. 
• To introduce scholars to this unique team training opportunity, PROmoTE begins with a Teamwork Retreat at the beginning of the summer.
• To facilitate PROmoTE scholars’ understanding of the unique cultures, values, role/responsibilities, and expertise of graduate students and medical students, the recruited students will be exposed to a variety of teams and taught teamwork skills

Who will I work with?

You will work on a research project in a team of four, which consists of a PhD scientis, a MD Scientis, A PhD student, an MD student, or a Post-Bacc Scholar.

How am I matched with the other team members?
After students are selected and accept to be in the program, we will send out a list of the resraserch projects and mentor teams. You will be asked to rank the projects. We will then match students and teams according to the rankings.

When does the program begin and end? 
The program begins with Orientation and formerly ends with a team science presentation. There is some flexibility with start and end dates, please include information in your personal statement explaining any situations. However, you are required to be in the program for 8 weeks to obtain all benefits. Anticipated date for Summer 2023 - May 30 - July 21

Are there prerequisites for the course?
No, not at all. The course is an introduction to kidney research and critical thinking skills.

What learning opportunities will be available?
Along with your summer research project (about 80% of your time) you will also attend a one day Kidney Teamwork Retreat at the beginning of the summer and weekly seminars led by kidney researchers. You'll also take a 1 hour graduate course called Critical Evaluation of Kidney Disease that includes clinical visits. 

Will this program take the place of the early lab rotation? 
Yes, PhD Scholars can elect to have this program be a lab rotation, and the program pays the tuition.

What costs are covered?
PROmoTE covers your tuition for the summer course, Critical Approaches and Clinical Evaluation of Kidney Disease, up to 4 research hours, as well as travel to present your resarch at a scientific conference later in the year. GBS students may elect to have this research training program also have credit towards an early lab rotation.

Do PROmoTE scholars receive a stipend?
Yes, PROmoTE scholars will receive a stipend for the 8 week program (determined by the 2023 pre-doctoral NRSA Rate). Students are required to be in the program for 8 weeks to receive the stipend. 

Is the scholar responsible for their own housing costs?
Yes. 

Is parking on campus available? If so, what are the costs?
Yes, parking is available for the summer, and the cost and application can be found at: https://www.uab.edu/transportation/students

Are funds available for scientific conferences? 
Yes. Each student will be able to elect to attend Experimental Biology or American Society of Nephrology with a travel award up to $500.00.

Application Deadline: Applicants accepted on a rolling basis starting March 1st.

Pre-matriculating GBS PhD students, pre-matriculating MD students, and Post-Baccalareates* who are US Citizens or Permanent Residents are eligible to apply

All applicants will provide a CV and a 1-2 page personal statement providing interest in the program.
*(Post-Bacc candidatess must have some level of prior research experience, high degree of interest in kidney research, and provide a letter of reference from a faculty member)

Benefits: Stipend, tuition for summer credit hours, travel costs to present this work at a scientific conference