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This program is funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. We are seeking undergraduate students who are interested in STEMM (science, technology, biomedical engineering, and medicine) or biomedical careers for 10 weeks of hands-on experience in cardiovascular research within our laboratories, professional skill building, and seminars focused on STEMM and healthcare career preparation, how to apply to medical school and other allied health programs, and how to navigate graduate and medical school.
In addition to the $6,000 compensation (paid in increments over the summer), we provide free fully-furnished housing accommodations to any participant from outside of the metro Milwaukee area (unless a local participant has a special need for housing). The housing location is across the street from the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center where MCW is located, and is a relatively new structure that features full kitchens with stainless steel appliances, central air, cable/internet and on-site laundry facilities. A free one-time roundtrip airfare to/from the Milwaukee airport or ground transportation is provided by ASPIRE funds to allow students who are located more than four hours from Milwaukee (and originating from a location in the U.S. or its territories) to relocate for the summer to attend the program. A $1,400 stipend is available for ASPIRE participants to attend an optional scientific conference during the following school year.
Undergraduate participants selected for ASPIRE are paired with one of our faculty researchers to contribute to a preexisting project being researched by that faculty member. Prior research experience is not required. Some students will have more "wet lab" experience, working with animals and human blood/tissue, while others will be more focused on data gathering/analyzing. ASPIRE also provides seminars for general professional skill building, 'career chats' focusing on specific graduate school, medical school, and other allied health careers, seminars on how to apply for graduate and medical school, seminars on overcoming challenges and barriers for individuals from underrepresented groups, and networking opportunities through social events throughout the summer. The summer experience culminates with each ASPIRE participant presenting an oral presentation about their cardiovascular research project during an MCW-wide Research Symposium on MCW's campus. After this, ASPIRE participants have until April of the next year to use their $1,400 stipend to attend an optional scientific conference.