University of Kentucky Summer Undergraduate Research in Pharmacology

Undergraduate research experiences are key avenues for developing the careers of our future pharmacologists. The faculty members of ASPET and the Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences propose a summer research opportunity in pharmacology to build on our current efforts focused on introducing undergraduate students to the discipline of pharmacology and providing them with an opportunity for conducting pharmacological research using cutting edge approaches. The program will encompass a ten week period beginning in late May in commencing in early August. The core of the program involves an independent research project performed in the laboratory of a mentor. In addition, the students will be involved in a variety of career-enrichment activities as well as tours of local biotechnology and pharmaceutical sites. The program will culminate with the student’s participation in a summer undergraduate research poster session sponsored by the College of Medicine. In addition, the students will be encouraged to participate in the University of Kentucky Undergraduate Research Symposium and attend the national ASPET meeting. Assessment of the program will include surveys of the mentees and mentors polling their satisfaction and impact on professional development. Additional measures will include student GPA, retention rates and interest in pursuing pharmacology-related research. The students will be surveyed each year after their participation in the program and be asked to what extent the summer research program has impacted their career.