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Department of Surgery Heersink School of Medicine

Short-Term Research Experiences Advancing Medical Students (STREAMS)

The UAB Department of Surgery is actively engaged in a variety of surgical disease-related research areas and encourages medical students to consider research careers through participation in summer research experiences. Mentored research opportunities under the guidance of surgeons and other research faculty are available through the STREAMS program in basic science, translational, clinical, outcomes, and education research. Eight students are selected for funding by an NIH/NIDDK-funded training grant (T35 DK116670).

Program Requirements

Students must meet the following requirements in order to be considered for the STREAMS program:

  • Students must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
  • Students must be in good academic standing after completing at least one semester at an accredited medical school in the U.S. or a U.S. territory.

Once selected, students must meet the following requirements in order to complete the STREAMS program:

  • Students must complete a full-time, mentored summer research experience spanning 8-12 weeks.
  • Students must complete training on how to conduct research responsibly.
  • Students must participate in the STREAMS Summer Research Seminar Series.
  • Students must submit a first-authored abstract to the UAB Heersink School of Medicine Dale J. Benos Medical Student Research Day (MSRD)
  • Students must submit a first-authored abstract to the Academic Surgical Congress.
  • Students must submit a final research progress report.

Training Grant Provisions

This training program provides stipend support based on the current NIH NRSA predoctoral stipend levels. The current monthly rate is $2,196 and is prorated based on the number of weeks that are committed to full-time research. Travel support in the amount of $1,000 is also available for each student to present their first-authored abstract at a national surgical meeting.

Application Process

Questions:

If you have questions about the program or application process, please email surgsummerprograms@uabmc.edu.

 

If you need assistance identifying a mentor, please contact Dr. Jill Richter, jillianrichter@uabmc.edu, or Dr. Bob Hollis rhhollis@uabmc.edu.

 

For UAB Medical Student Applicants:

UAB medical students should apply through the UAB MSSRP Common Application after identifying a mentor and research project. Applications are due by Mar. 31, 2024. 

The following list includes potential mentors and projects for medical students interested in research in summer 2024: View PDF of 2024 research opportunities.

Note: This is not a comprehensive list of active mentors. Many other surgeons are willing to mentor students if mutual interest is identified. Students may also view the department website’s research section to learn more about other ongoing projects and to contact investigators in order to arrange meetings to discuss available opportunities.

Eight- or ten-week experiences are available. UAB students desiring stipend support must apply via the UAB SOM MSSRP Common Application.

To optimize your chance of receiving funding, apply for:

  • STREAMS,
  • Short-Term Training in Health Professional Schools (NIH T35 – SRTP) and
  • all other programs relevant to your research project.

For External Applicants:

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis; therefore, students are encouraged to apply as early as possible and by Mar. 1, 2024, at the latest. The program will assist selected students in identifying a mentor and project based on each student’s career goals, experience and interests.

External applicants should submit the following components online through this application form:

  • Curriculum vitae
    • Students must include details regarding their previous research experiences and their MCAT scores.
  • One-page statement
    • This statement should include each student’s brief personal background, research interests, and long-term career goals.
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Undergraduate transcript 
  • Medical School transcript

External applicants must submit all the required components listed above via the online application form in order to complete their application.

If you have questions about the program or application process, please email surgsummerprograms@uabmc.edu.

Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

STREAMS is supported by NIH/NIDDK T35DK116670.