The Summer Undergraduate Program in Emory Renal Research (SUPERR) promotes an appreciation for the study of kidney, urology, and hematologic (KUH) diseases among undergraduate students who are interested in furthering their scientific research and could be encouraged to pursue a career in biomedical scientific research. Early exposure of undergraduate researchers to these exciting areas of study will give promising students first-hand experience in laboratory methods to answer questions that directly affect human health and disease. Our goal is to foster sustained interest in KUH diseases, thereby increasing the number of students applying to PhD, MD and duel degree programs, and increasing the cadre of scientists in the biomedical workforce studying these topics in the future.
SUPERR will expose undergraduate students to current questions in KUH diseases that are being investigated by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) supported investigators at Emory University. Following a national recruitment, selected students will participate in a 10-week didactic and laboratory-based experiential program on our Atlanta campus to advance their knowledge of nephrology, urology, and hematology research through laboratory experimentation, clinical research, career development activities, responsible conduct in research training, and opportunities to present and share their research. Specific targeted skills will include data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, and scientific presentation. In addition to research, students will be afforded the opportunity of shadowing a Nephrology physician in an active clinic. The culmination of the 10-week training will be participation at the NIDDK sponsored Summer Student Research Symposium either in Bethesda, MD at the National Institutes of Health or one of the grant program locations. This symposium is a required attendance event and is of no cost to the student.
Student Benefits
- Mentoring by research and/or clinical faculty during the entire 10 week program
- Hands-on training in established research laboratories (minimum of 37 hours of independent research per week)
- Classroom training in ethical conduct of research
- Didactic training including journal club and related seminars and training opportunities
- Experience in presentation of scientific findings
Optional activities
- Pre-medicine student shadowing at Grady Memorial Hospital Nephrology Fellow Clinic
- Kidney MAPS Health Fair with SUPERR students
Mentors
SUPERR mentors have been selected on the basis of interest in mentoring undergraduate summer students, including members of groups under-represented in science careers, and research productivity. All mentors are NIH funded and have excellent lab space, facilities, and equipment. We have included basic, translational, and clinical science mentors conducting science that is relevant to the NIDDK/KUHD mission, regardless of whether their research funding is from NIDDK or another NIH institute or the VA.
Apply
SUPERR is open to students in the biomedical sciences. The program will begin May 28, 2025 and end August 1, 2025. Applications are accepted until January 20, 2025. Please use the following links to apply. The student must register for a college connect account to complete the application https://bit.ly/3ZbhKNA. Then, access the application at https://bit.ly/4eAsv0n