Summer Research Training Program

M. Sawkat Anwer, DMVH, Ph.D. Program Director, NIH Training Program

• Introduction
• Program Faculty
• Eligibility Criteria
• Application Procedures
• Evaluation of Research Proposals
• Stipends and Responsibilities
• Responsibilities for Mentors
• 2008 Research Projects

Introduction

The Summer Research Training Program offered by Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University (TCSVM) and is, in part, supported by a grant from NIH NIDDK. This program is intended to help students crystallize their interest in research, to make them aware of their research potential, and to familiarize themselves with the opportunities inherent in a research career by exposing them to an active biomedical research environment. The following points will be emphasized during the training period.

1. How to evaluate a scientific article
2. How to design an experiment
3. How to organize and critically analyze data
4. How to translate data into hypothesis
5. How to transmit research information in writing and speech

It is important that students and mentors are familiar with the guidelines described in this site. For further information, contact:
M. Sawkat Anwer
Program Director
(508) 839-8788

Eligibility Criteria

1. Trainees should have successfully completed at least one semester at TCSVM.
2. Students enrolled in a combined DVM/PhD program are not eligible.
3. Students holding MS or PhD degrees in the Health Sciences are not eligible.
4. Trainees must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residency.
5. Students must be in good academic standing at TCSVM.

Application Procedures

Submit Six copies of your research proposal to the Office of Dr. S. Anwer, Administration Building, Grafton on or before January 31, 2007.

1. It is required that the student prepare the proposal with input from the mentor. Under no circumstances should the mentor prepare the application, since this is a part of the training process. Each mentor is eligible to sponsor a maximum of two students. If a student plans to conduct research off campus, the primary mentor must still be a member of the TCSVM faculty.

2. Follow these guidelines explicitly for the preparation of the proposal.

1. Complete the Title Page (page 1): Both student and mentor should sign this page.

2. Summary Page : In the box provided, describe concisely the specific aims, experimental designs/methods and significance of the proposed research, i.e., "WHY AND HOW YOU WANT TO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO"

3. Research Proposal (not to exceed 3 pages): Divide this section into the following subsections:

1. Specific Aims : State your hypothesis/objective for the present proposal. (Half a page)

2. Background/Significance : Describe the rationale for your hypothesis/objective under "Specific Aims", and the potential significance of the proposed study. (One page)

3. Methods : Describe the methods and experimental designs to be used to attain your specific aims. Explain clearly the extent of your active participation in any method/procedure to be used. (One page)

4. References : A bibliography of pertinent references.

4. Animal Use Approval: Students who receive the award will be required to obtain the approval of Tufts Animal Welfare Committee if animals are to be used in the project. No experiments with animals should be initiated without this approval.

Evaluation of Research Proposals

Evaluation of each proposal will be based on the following criteria:

1. Is the justification/rationale for the proposed hypothesis/study clearly stated?

2. Are the methodologies appropriate for the study?

3. Can the project be satisfactorily completed during the summer time period?

Each criteria will be rated 1-4; the corresponding qualitative descriptors are as follows:

1. Excellent
2. Good
3. Satisfactory
4. Poor

The sum should be divided by 3 to obtain the final grading.

Stipends and Responsibilities

1. Each awardee will receive one-third of the total stipend per month for up to three months (may be subject to withholding). This stipend can be supplemented from other sources. Students will receive their dispersements according to the following schedule: the first check at the end of July, the second check at the end of August, and the third check after submission of the written report and the questionnaire in September.

2. Awardees are required to work full time and participate in other departmental activities (journal club, seminars, etc.) and scheduled seminars.

3. Awardees will be required to attend orientation and appointment sessions in April/May. Orientation will involve an afternoon of formalized presentations on the Grafton Campus.

4. Each awardee will be required to submit a written report (six copies) and fill out a questionnaire in September. The written report should conform to the styles of a scientific journal of choice.

5. Each awardee will be required to present their work at the Research Day to be held in October on Grafton Campus.

6. The program of the Research Day will include a key-note speaker, presentation of research projects by students, selection of best work, presentation of a certificate to all awardees, and prizes for the top three projects. Prizes are $500 for first place, $400 for second place, and $300 for third place. Research will be evaluated on the basis of the written report (50%) and the presentation (50%). The prizes will be awarded by the Dean and program director.

Exact dates will be announced.

Responsibilities for Mentors

The success of this program depends on active participation by mentors in all phases of the training process. A mentor is likely to provide the best possible training if the student is involved in mentor's area of active research. With these in mind the following guidelines are recommended for mentors.

1. A mentor should provide supervision during all phases of the proposed study i.e. preparation of the application, obtaining animal welfare approval, data gathering procedures, data analysis, preparation of the written report and oral presentation at the Research Day. To optimize/maximize student-mentor interactions during the training period each primary mentor is, thus, eligible to sponsor a maximum of two students per year.

2. A mentor should sponsor students planning to conduct studies only in his/her area of active research interest. If a study should require expertise of other mentors, such mentors should be made a part of the mentoring team with the primary mentor being responsible for the overall supervision. Such an arrangement should allow for a broader research exposure for the student as well as for the development of collaborations among mentors.

3. The program does not provide any fund for supplies that may be needed to conduct the proposed study. Thus, the mentor should assure the availability of funds needed to complete the project before sponsoring a student.

4. Each mentor should encourage students and make it possible for the student to present the work at a national scientific meeting. The program will try to provide some limited fund to cover registration fees for such meetings.

5. In the event that the work done by the student is published, please acknowledge that the student was supported, in part, by a NIH Short-term Training Grant (T35 DK07635) and send a copy of the published article to the program director.

6. It is important that each mentor makes it a priority to attend the Research Day. The presence of the mentor during the presentation encourages students and boosts their morale.

To learn more about these faculty and their research, click here.