UNTHSC nurtures scientists at summer research intern program

Twenty-seven undergraduate scientists from across the U.S. have been hard at work this summer learning to conduct biomedical research as part of the Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) program.

The annual summer outreach programs —Summer Multicultural Advanced Research Training Program (SMART); Summer Training Among Research Scientists Program (STARS); and the HBCU Undergraduate Collaborative Summer Training Program in Prostate Cancer — are designed to familiarize undergraduate students with the varied disciplines and methodologies used in biomedical research and are sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program and the Joe and Jessie Crump Foundation for Medical Research through JPMorgan Bank, respectively. Each initiative gives undergraduate students a chance to gain experience in a research laboratory under the supervision of faculty and senior graduate students. Participants are selected in open competition.

“These programs are one element of a coordinated plan to increase the number of under-represented minorities in biomedical education and research,” said Harlan Jones, PhD, Assistant Dean of Recruitment and Outreach for the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. “Providing experiences in cutting-edge research with our faculty has proven very successful in increasing the number and diversity of highly qualified students entering career paths in biomedical research and health professions.”

The summer program concluded this past week with formal presentations designed to show what participants accomplished during the summer as well as a keynote address. This year’s speaker was Bessie Kebarra, PhD, Assistant Professor of Biology from Baylor University, who shared her personal journey into a research career.

RISE is a developmental program through the National Institutes of Health that seeks to increase the capacity of students underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences to complete doctorate degrees in these fields. The program provides grants to institutions with a commitment to and history of developing students from populations underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral sciences as defined by the National Science Foundation.

Recent News

Dr. Teresa Wagner 768x960 1 240x300
  • Our People
|Jul 9, 2025

Dr. Teresa Wagner co-authors a national statement on health literacy from an interprofessional perspective

Teresa Wagner, DrPH, associate professor in the College of Public Health at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, collaborated with interprofessional colleagues on a national health literacy statement on behalf of the National Academies of Practice. The National Acade...
Professional Photo Wesling 2025
  • Community
|Jul 8, 2025

College of Pharmacy’s Dr. Megan Wesling to join the AACP Academic Leadership Fellows Program

Megan Wesling, PharmD, chair and associate professor in the Department of Pharmacotherapy at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth College of Pharmacy, has been selected for the 22nd cohort of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Academic Leadership Fellow...
Hsc Leadership Team.
  • Our People
|Jul 3, 2025

TCOM’s Dr. Frank Filipetto among the first in world to earn Certified Professional in Human Factors in Health Care

Frank Filipetto, DO, CPPS, CPHFH, FACOFP, one of the leading voices for changing how health care is delivered, has become one of the first in the world to earn the Certified Professional in Human Factors in Health Care credential. Filipetto, an Everett Endowed Distinguished Professor at The Unive...
Tonychris Nnaka Headshot 240x300
  • Our People
|Jul 1, 2025

American Academy of Nursing to induct Tonychris Nnaka into 2025 class of fellows

Tonychris Nnaka, Ph.D., MPH, RN, CPH, associate dean for research and associate professor at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s College of Nursing, will be inducted into the American Academy of Nursing’s 2025 class of fellows during the organization’s annua...