Thank you for your interest in UPHS! 

The 2023 application cycle is now open!

The goal of the Undergraduate Public Health Scholars program is to provide a mentored summer research experience in public health sciences, with an emphasis on systemic health inequities. Students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in one of the many types of research activities conducted by faculty in the department, from epidemiology of health disparities, to environmental health and health policy.  Students will receive a stipend of $5000 for a 10-week program in research for the summer of 2023. Students are expected to work 40 hours per week, meet weekly with faculty mentors, attend a weekly scientific skills seminar conducted by Educational Enrichment & Outreach Programs (EEOP)/ Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program (BUSP), and present their research at the EEOP/BUSP Poster Session.

• Eligibility: UC Davis undergraduates who have completed at least 3 years and have at least 1 more year prior to graduation. UPHS prioritizes students with a strong understanding and commitment to health equity, who are interested in pursuing careers in public health. 

Students from the following backgrounds are encouraged to apply: 

• Identify as a historically excluded racial or ethnic minority (African American, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, Hispanic/Latinx)
• Have a disability
• Participate in the BUSP or BUSP-STARS
• Come from a disadvantaged background as defined by the NIH (See the EEOP eligibility page for specific details)
• Students do not have to be in the College of Biological Sciences. Students from ALL majors/disciplines (including non-STEM majors) are encouraged to apply.

To apply: Click here for the application. Finalists will be contacted to meet with a faculty member to arrange an interview to meet and discuss potential projects.

Application cycle process:

1. Screening. Your application materials will first be screened to confirm you are eligible for UPHS. Those who are not eligible will be contacted and advised on other program options. (February 28, 2023)
2. Interviews: 10-12 students will be invited for interviews with the UPHS director. (March 7, 2023)
3. Finalists: After interviews, 6-8 students will be invited to meet with 1-2 prospective mentors. (March 21, 2023)
4. Scholars: After mentor meetings, the director will communicate with both students and mentors to identify potential projects and matches, and invite 5 students to be Undergraduate Public Health Scholars for 2023. (April 11, 2023) 

Deadline: Februrary 21, 2023.

Program Dates: June 27, 2023 – September 1, 2023

Information Session for the 2023 program: Jan 26, 2023 12:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83473232206 Meeting ID: 834 7323 2206

The Undergraduate Public Health Scholars Program is funded by the UC Davis Department of Public Health Sciences.

Other Undergraduate Opportunities in Public Health

UC Davis MIND Institute RISE-UP

CDC Internships and Fellowships for Minority Health

CDC-Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities National Internship Program

Health Career Connection: Paid internships for rising seniors and recent graduates

Undergraduate Public Health Scholars Alumni 

2022 

Miriam Bermejo, Miriam Nuño, Yury Garcia. Characterizing Vaccine Missingness in Children using 2019-2020 NIS-Child Database 

Natalie Madrigal, Chase Boyer, Andrea C. Bühler-Wassmann, Leah Hibel.  Sleep and Its Effect on Emotional Regulation 

Jesús M. Magaña, Kent Pinkerton, Priya Upadhyay.  Health Implications of Engineered Silver Nanomaterials 

Elissa Perez-Rodriguez, David Seth Jabonero Carillo, Kent Pinkerton. Structural remodeling of the human lung due to inhaled particle deposition and retention 

Linda Sancrant, Caitlin Jones, Kathryn Conlon. Landscape Use and Wildfires - A Summary of the Literature and Conceptual Framework 

2021

Kimberly Aguirre (Mentor: Alda De Andrade E Pires, D.V.M, M.P.V.M, Ph.D, School of Veterinary Medicine)

Jessica Rangel (Mentor: Candice Price, Ph.D., Molecular Biosciences )

Harjeet Mann (Mentor: Leigh Ann Simmons, Ph.D., MFT, Human Ecology)

Catelyn Edwards (Mentor: Leigh Ann Simmons, Ph.D., MFT, Human Ecology)

2020 

Joan Ashby (Mentor: Miriam Nuno, Public Health Sciences and Surgery): Winner, ABRCMS Presentation Awards in Social and Behavioral Sciences and Public Health 2020 

Sofia Ledesema (Mentor: Keny Pinkerton, Pediatrics- School of Medicine, Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine): Winner, ABRCMS Presentation Awards in Social and Behavioral Sciences and Public Health 2020 

Bianca Puente (Mentor: Leigh Ann Simmons, Human Ecology) 

Neha Singh (Mentor: Kent Pinkerton Pediatrics- School of Medicine, Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine) 

2019 

Sheccid Torres (Mentor: Kent Pinkerton, Pediatrics- School of Medicine, Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine) 

Earl Morales (Mentor: Miriarm Nuno, Public Health Sciences and Surgery): Winner, ABRCMS Presentation Awards in Social and Behavioral Sciences and Public Health 2019 

2018

Yemi Lawrence (Mentor: Michelle Ko, Public Health Sciences) 

Lia Lopez (Mentor: Efrain Talamantes, Internal Medicine) 

Ricky Rios (Mentor: Miriarm Nuno, Public Health Sciences and Surgery) 

Rosario Lopez (Mentor: Lorena Garcia, Public Health Sciences) 

2017

Sonam Kumari (Mentor: Michelle Ko, Public Health Sciences) 

Veronica Zepeda Pontifes (Mentor: Miriam Nuno, Public Health Sciences and Surgery)