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The University of Maryland School of Public Health Summer Training and Research (STAR) program is designed to provide traditionally under-represented undergraduate students with two consecutive summers of a 10-week research training and career development program to enhance their potential to apply for and complete graduate degrees in biomedical and behavioral science relevant to preventing and treating cardiovascular disease.

Note from Dr. Hagberg (February 15, 2013): Last summer (2012), we submitted the renewal application to NIH for the UM STAR program. Our proposal was reviewed and received a relatively high rating for funding. However, because of the "fiscal cliff " and because the Federal Government has not approved the final budget for the year, the NIH is conserving some of their funds. Thus, we do not yet have final word on the funding for UM STAR for this coming summer of 2013. We hope and believe it will be funded again, but do not yet know this for sure. Thus, I would encourage you to apply to other summer internship and research programs in case we do not get funded for another five years. Please be assured that we will let you know as soon as we hear anything definitive about funding for UM STAR for the summer of 2013.

The Specific Objectives of the UM STAR Program are to:

• Enhance research skills and experience necessary to be competitive graduate school applicants in cardiovascular and related disease research areas
• Enhance awareness of the process, practice, and ethics underlying scientific research
• Prepare trainees for graduate school and a research career    
• Provide quality mentoring
• Increase knowledge of landmark and breakthrough research on the causes and prevention of cardiovascular and related diseases
• Have Fun!

Program Co-Directors

James Hagberg,
PhD – Professor, Department of Kinesiology, University of Maryland School of Public Health

Kim Nickerson,
Assistant Dean for Diversity,
University of Maryland School of Public Health

Program Staff

• Ms. Gabby Molinolo – Program Coordinator
• Ms. Alison O'Neill – Evaluation Specialist