The School of Medicine has been awarded funding for five national American Heart Association (AHA) summer research fellowships, the maximum award possible. This is an impressive achievement, as the average success rate for similar AHA funding requests is approximately 20 percent.

The funding will cover a meaningful 10-week research experience for five medical students per year for a duration of three years.

The new fellowships will be part of the school’s Cardiovascular Research Experience Program (CREP) led by Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education Dr. Frank Spinale. The program will give rising second year medical students the opportunity to conduct research in clinical or basic science environments and study a wide range of cardiovascular problems including heart failure, stroke, neurohormonal effects, ion channel function, biomechanics and coronary intervention.

Students will gain real experience in the field under an experienced investigator, and prepare for the critical, widespread patient care issues – including heart disease and stroke – they will likely face in their future clinical practice.

Both basic and clinical science faculty are needed to serve as program mentors. This will afford fellowship students the unique chance to explore cardiovascular research and treatment from various perspectives.

To learn more about becoming a mentor or to apply for the fellowship, please contact Dr. Edie Goldsmith.