In addition to their mentored research project, students in the Summer Scholars Program will learn more about the research process, hands-on instrumentation, bioethics, responsible conduct of research, effective oral and written communication, professional development and career opportunities.
The program includes a curriculum for students that cover the research process, hands-on instrumentation, bioethics, responsible conduct of research and professional development:
- Individually tailored research with faculty mentor(s)
- Participation in the Annual Regenerative Medicine Essentials course.
- Special seminars on alternating topics in regenerative medicine
- Professional Development Workshops
- Participation in weekly research meetings
- Participation in final research symposium and poster session
- Social and networking events
- Graduate and medical school advising
- Scientific Communication and Publications skills with opportunities to attend and present at national scientific meetings
The program also offers students many professional development and networking opportunities as students participate in the annual Regenerative Medicine Essentials (RME) course led by WFIRM researchers and distinguished guest experts from around the world, attend special seminars on alternating topics in regenerative medicine and participate in skills development workshops topics related to technical communications skills (written and oral presentations) and strategies to prepare for and apply to graduate schools.
Opportunities for social interaction with each other as well as with the faculty and staff of WFIRM is also emphasized. These events are intended to help our students form relationships with fellow scientists and colleagues that will persist beyond their tenure at the institute. These events also represent an opportunity to experience some of the recreational assets that the Winston-Salem area has to offer.
For the bulk of the 10-week program, students become immersed on a research project in a faculty lab receiving appropriate guidance from their faculty mentor and graduate or post-doctoral students in the lab. Students perform their own research and data analysis and present their findings at a formal scientific poster session at the conclusion of the program. Strategies to prepare for and apply to graduate schools is also emphasized. Opportunities for social interaction with each other as well as with the faculty, graduate and postdoctoral trainees and staff of WFIRM is highlighted over the course of the summer. These events are intended to help our students form relationships with fellow scientists and colleagues to assist them in charting and pursuing their educational and career pathways and persist well beyond their tenure at the institute. The figure below provides an overview of WFIRM faculty interests in which summer scholars will become engaged.
- 3D Printing of Neuronal and Brain Tissue
- Optimization of PCL/TCP Composition for In Vitro Bone Bioprinting Applications
- Functional Ovarian Tissue Construct with Engineered Multilayered Follicles that Secrete Sex Hormones
- Biomarkers for Predicting Differentiation Potential of IPSCS
- Generation of Thymus Tissue Ex Vivo
- Effect of Small RNA on Muscle Development in Human Muscle Progenitor Cells
- Imaging Cell Therapy for Cystic Fibrosis
- Comparative Analysis of Cell Printing and Cell Spraying of Autologous Skin Cells onto Large Skin Wounds
- Optimization of a 3D Bioprinted Trachea Implant
- Engineering Functional Thymus Organoids
- The Search for and Research of Suitable Cardiomyocytes for Heart Regeneration
- Microfluidic Encapsulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
- Fabrication of Vascular Renal Constructs with Accelerated Angiogenic Activity
- Optimizing the Bone-Implant Interface for Amputee-Related Injuries
2014 Summer Scholars Program (pdf)
2015 Summer Scholars Program (pdf)
2017 Summer Scholars Program (pdf)
