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Research & Enrichment Programs

Enrichment programs are academic and professional development opportunities for undergraduates. The University of Pittsburgh’s health science schools offer enrichment activities to enhance knowledge of health careers and health disparities.  Benefits of these academic and clinical experiences for students include:

  • Enhancing preparation for applying to health professions schools
  • Creating of a sense of community among students who share similar interests and goals

Enrichment Opportunities

American Student Placements in Rehabilitation Engineering (ASPIRE)

The Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Program focuses on research in the rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology fields. Rehabilitation engineering employs a systematic approach to the design, modification, customization and/or fabrication of assistive technology for persons with disabilities. The QoLT ERC is a unique partnership between Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) and the University of Pittsburgh, integrating CMU’s strength in the design, implementation, and technology transfer of intelligent systems, and Pitt’s strength in rehabilitation, health sciences and aging research.

Summer Pre-medical Academic Enrichment Program (SPAEP)

The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine's SPAEP program is open to college sophomores, and is designed to prepare and support students who wish to pursue medical careers. SPAEP is a residential program that provides travel, room, and board.

  • A seven week program designed for students who are completing sophomore level science coursework. Students study in depth the basic sciences behind five diseases of importance to underserved communities: AIDS, hypertension, smoking-related illness, sickle cell anemia, and diabetes. High achieving admits may qualify for Early Assurance placement in the School of Medicine.

Biomedical Informatics for Minority Students

Students interested in learning about how technology can improve science and medicine may want to explore the field of Biomedical Informatics by attending the Summer Short-Term Trainee Program in Biomedical Informatics for Minority Students (STP-BI) this summer. From analyzing the human genome to tracking medical information in Electronic Health Records, from creating new ways of educating medical students to detecting outbreaks of diseases, the field of Biomedical Informatics is transforming health care and scientific discovery.

Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP)

SURP provides stimulating and rewarding research opportunities for undergraduates considering graduate education in biomedical research. The program is administered by the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Graduate Program (IBGP) at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine - a premiere research center in the historic Oakland section of Pittsburgh. The School of Medicine provides an exceptional environment for students to gain research experience under the guidance of internationally recognized scientists.

MID Scholars

The purpose of this research program is to engage underrepresented minority (URM) undergraduate students (scholars), enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh, to consider careers in science, medicine, and public health, provide exposure to biomedical and/or public health research and enhance the research capabilities of underrepresented minorities in research. The MID Scholars Program provides research experience to scholars of diverse backgrounds, with a particular focus on scholars from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. The goal of the program is to provide URM undergraduate scholars an opportunity to engage in year-long basic, clinical and/or translational research projects within Pitt's Program in Microbiology and Immunology under the mentorship of experienced researchers and principal investigators. Visit the MID Scholars Program

 

Additional Resources