2019 Undergraduate Public Health Scholars Announced
The Undergraduate Public Health Scholars (UPHS) program provides a paid ten-week mentored summer research experience in public health sciences. Scholars gain hands-on research experience in one of many types of research activities conducted by faculty in the Department of Public Health Sciences.
The UPHS program is open to students who qualify for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), are an underrepresented minority, or have a disability. Students from these backgrounds are typically underrepresented in research, often because these types of intensive programs are unpaid. This year the competitive program offered a $3,500 stipend. Students are expected to work 40 hours per week, meet weekly with faculty mentors, and attend a weekly scientific skills seminar conducted by Educational Enrichment & Outreach Programs (EEOP)/ Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program (BUSP).
“The program provides a unique opportunity for faculty as well as students, as UPHS students are often from communities or groups that experience the health disparities we research,” said Program Director Michelle Ko, M.D., Ph.D. “They bring their strengths and perspectives that can really improve our research. I see it as a mutually beneficial relationship.”
Our 2019 Undergraduate Public Health Scholars
Sheccid Torres ’21 is a Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior (NPB) major. Her research with mentor Kent Pinkerton, Ph.D. will explore the respiratory implications particulate matter in the Imperial Valley. Pinkerton and graduate student Savannah Mack are investigating the public health impacts of dust left by the disappearing Salton Sea in a community-based participatory research model. “I am really enthusiastic to work with my mentors in this particular lab because the research directly impacts my community,” said Torres. Her hometown of Calexico California is in the Imperial Valley. “I am excited to be guided by my mentors through the process of research and investigation,” she added.
Sheccid Torres
Earl Morales ’20 is a Statistics major with a Public Health Sciences minor. His initial interest in non-communicable diseases sparked his interest in public health as a field. He plans to research maternal opioid use and the Neonatal Abstinence Syndrom in the United States with mentor Miriam Nuño, Ph.D. in the Division of Biostatistics. "I hope to build a professional network, develop new skills, and receive advide about graduate school along the way, since I would like to pursue graduate school in the future for biostatistics and epidemiology." said Morales.
Earl Morales
Undergraduate research is a gives students invaluable experience in scientific fields, allows them to explore career directions, and builds professional networks. For more information on the program please visit Dr. Ko’s faculty website. Applications typically open in the spring. You can keep up-to-date on our undergraduate public health opportunities and announcements by signing up for our newsletter, Undergrad Update.
