Successful Fourth Annual Summer Research Program (SURP) Symposium
The Division of Graduate Medical Sciences (GMS) at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) hosted the fourth annual summer research symposium on Thursday, Aug. 1, showcasing research projects conducted by visiting students. Karen Antman, MD, BUMC Provost and BUSM Dean welcomed attendees and thanked them for contributing to the success of the program.
The SUmmer Research Program (SURP), a pipeline program initiated by GMS Associate Provost Linda Hyman, PhD, offers exceptional basic science research opportunities to academically talented students who are traditionally underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. Students in the program aspire to professional careers as medical scientists and other roles within the research enterprise. The progression of SURP from pilot program to competitive summer internship for underrepresented (URM) students began in the summer of 2010 with ten students from Xavier University in Louisiana. Over four years, SURP Program Manager Linda Zimmerman, increased the number of applicants by 200 percent through marketing and outreach activities.
Key components of SURP include daily, mentored scientific research under the guidance of a faculty mentor and lab community; weekly professional development activities and journal club; cohort-based housing on the Boston University campus; social activities focused in Boston and led by a peer group leader; and an end-of-program symposium. Graduates of SURP are encouraged to present their research at national meetings such as the Annual Biomedical Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) and Advancing Hispanics, Native Americans and Chicanos in Science (SACNAS), and to continue pursuing career interests in medical research and health care.
The following is a list of student presenters and abstract titles with full abstracts available in the Program Booklet.
- Jasmin Alves (Farmer Lab): Gelsolin Expression is Regulated during Brown and White Adipogenesis and is more prominent in White compared to Brown Adipose Tissue
- Carolina Amorim (Genco Lab): Regulation of small RNA in Neisseria Gonorrhoeae.
- Lynisha Farrell (Corkey Lab): Alterations in Extrecellular Redox States Affect Pancreatic Beta-Cell Insulin Secretion Levels
- Norma A. Hernandez (Wolozin Lab): Protein translation inhibitor reduces TDP-43 inclusion formation
- Mayara Lorena de Souza (Cruikshank Lab): Cockroach allergen changes the balance between ciliated and secretory cells in the respiratory epithelium