Enhancing Undergraduate Education and Research in Aging to Eliminate Health Disparities (ENGAGED)

A summer and academic year program providing research internships and mentoring in aging and health disparities in aging by faculty at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem State University for underrepresented undergraduate students during the academic year (for WFU and WSSU students only) and during the summer (for students at any U.S. college/university).

ENGAGED supports educational activities at the undergraduate level that enhance the diversity of the biomedical, behavioral and clinical research workforce in Medicine, Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (MSTEM) fields as they relate to aging.

Overview

ENGAGED is a pipeline program funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and sponsored by the Wake Forest University School of Medicine (School of Medicine), Wake Forest University (WFU), Wake Forest Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). All activities will take place in Winston-Salem, NC, on the campuses of WFSM, WFU and WSSU.

Goals

To increase awareness of the unique health care issues facing a diverse aging population and of the opportunities for research that addresses these issues by providing a Research Club for students at WFU and WSSU during the academic year.
To expand opportunities for paid biomedical research internships at the School of Medicine, WFU and WSSU during the academic year and summer in order to increase underrepresented students involved in aging and health disparities research.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum for both academic year and summer programs includes biomedical research, a lecture series with presentations by faculty and guest speakers, journal clubs and a symposium at which students present their research findings.

ENGAGED takes advantage of the strengths in training and research on aging-related topics and gerontology at the School of Medicine, WFU and WSSU. ENGAGED faculty have vast academic and professional experiences for diversity-focused research and training and expertise that spans basic, clinical, population and translational research. Of note, ~40% of training faculty are under-represented minorities.

A network of Research and Career Mentors will provide formal and informal resources and counseling on career paths in aging-related biomedical research, particularly those leading to a PhD or other advanced degree. In addition to research skills development, faculty use Individualized Development Plans tailored to each trainee to provide guidance towards the development of presentation skills (oral, poster), scientific writing, GRE preparation and assistance with graduate school applications (personal statements, interviewing).

Academic year and summer research internships will involve students in cutting-edge research under the direction of a diverse group of Research Mentors with expertise in behavior and social factors, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes/obesity, diet and exercise, kidney function/disease, neuroscience and physical function, offering trainees a wide variety of research opportunities in the field of aging.

ENGAGED Outcomes

The ENGAGED Program is funded by an R25 training grant from the National Institute on Aging. Drs. Tina Brinkley, Debra Diz, TanYa Gwathmey, Jill Keith and Gary Miller are the directors of the program.

Over the past four years, the grant supported 61 unique individuals with 73 research internships for Wake Forest University (WFU) and Winston Salem State University (WSSU) underrepresented undergraduate students participating in aging-related educational and research activities during the academic year and 46 summer internships for students from WSSU, WFU and other U.S. colleges/universities. The goal is to enhance the diversity of the biomedical, behavioral and clinical research workforce related to aging. Of the 34 graduates (100% BA/BS in MSTEM), 35% are in biomedical sciences advanced degree programs and 26% are applying. Overall, 27% of ENGAGED trainees return to Wake Forest University School of Medicine as trainees or employees.

How to Apply

2024-2025 Academic Year Program (eligibility limited to WFU and WSSU students only)

Undergraduate students with an interest in earning their PhD/advanced professional degree in the biomedical sciences for a research career in aging are encouraged to apply. ENGAGED sponsorship includes a stipend and tuition, depending upon level of participation.

Application deadline (including transcripts and reference letters):

Monday, August 5, 2024 for the Fall 2024 Semester
Monday, November 4, 2024 for the Spring 2025 Semester

Submit Your Application

2025 Summer Program (recruiting nationally)

Undergraduate students with an interest in earning their PhD/advanced professional degree in the biomedical sciences for a research career in aging are encouraged to apply. ENGAGED sponsorship includes travel, housing and a stipend that requires a full-time, 40-hour work week (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) commitment for the 8 to 9 weeks of the summer program.

Application deadline (including transcripts and reference letters): Monday, February 3, 2025
Start date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Submit Your Application

Technology Transfer and Commercialization

Research Focus Areas

Translation to Care

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