General Information
In 2014, the John A. Burns School of Medicine, Department of Tropical Medicine, Medical Microbiology, and Pharmacology was awarded the International Biomedical Research Training for Minority Students grant (National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities, NIH (5T37MD008636), the first out of state research training program at the University of Hawai`i (UH) where undergraduate students are eligible. Now in its second cycle (2020-2025), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded program ($1.3 million over five years) provides research training for 12 undergraduate and graduate students annually in community research in tropical medicine, infectious diseases, and social and behavioral health sciences.
Undergraduate college students who have taken at least two years of full-load college-level courses are eligible (Junior/Seniors). Trainees will learn about research methods (laboratory techniques, community-based participatory research) and receive research mentorship out of state in various international and US locations (conditional): Thailand, Cameroon, India, Guam, American Samoa, Arkansas, Utah, and Washington during the summer.
Who is eligible?
Students who are U.S. citizens or permanent resident must be underrepresented in higher education and biomedical research defined by ethnic backgrounds including Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, Blacks and African Americans, Hispanic Americans or Latinos, American Indians and Alaska Natives;” rural and low socioeconomic background, and other categories as defined by the NIH: NOT-OD-20-031: Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity
The NIH and UH have ongoing efforts to increase the number of scientists who are from underrepresented backgrounds, in hopes they will in turn conduct research within underserved communities to address persistent health disparities. “Health disparities” are defined by unacceptable differences that exist in health care access and treatment outcomes for underserved groups, not only in Hawai’i but nationally and globally. Biomedical and social and behavioral research plays a critical role in the identification and translation of research findings to address the root causes of and ways to address health disparities.
The Undergraduate Experience
Spring: Preparation
The program takes place throughout one academic year. During the Spring semester, selected students will register for three credits in International Biosciences (TRMD 440). The course work involves learning about the steps of research, health disparities research, community-based participatory research. Students are then matched with research mentors and begin their mentored-research project; select a project, read relevant literature, and discuss their research topic with their mentors.
Summer: Hands-on learning
In May (after Spring semester), students will participate in an 10 day pre-research workshop to prepare conducting their research projects and to travel. Beginning in June, students then spend 8-10 weeks conducting directed research nationally/internationally. After returning in August, students attend a post-workshop where they will discuss their summer research experiences, work with biostatisticians on data analysis, discuss research results, meet with faculty mentors, and begin preparing oral written reports. Students will design and present “E Ho’oulu Haumana” a presentation of their results for their families, friends and faculty in mid-August.
Fall: Laboratory Research and Presentations
Students may continue to conduct research in laboratories at UH if they wish and will present their results at a symposium in the Fall or Spring semester. They will also serve as mentors for the next year’s incoming students.
To learn about previous MHIRT student experiences, visit:
MHIRT Trainees and Newsletter Archives
The Graduate Experience
Graduate students interested in biomedical research will spend up to two semesters conducting research at their institution or out-of-state. The research project should address a topic related to health disparities and related to their ongoing MS or Ph.D. research projects. Students will attend all research training courses in the Spring and Summer. They may apply for either the Fall or Spring semester. The trainee, his/her academic mentor at UH, and the international mentor will discuss the research project. Then, the trainee will submit a written proposal to the international mentor and his/her dissertation committee for approval.
Financial support
Students will receive a summer stipend; undergraduate ($1,160/month), graduate ($2,196/month) and funds for research supplies for participating in the summer program. The training program will cover the cost of airfare, visa, and all entrance/exit fees. Housing at the national/international site will be arranged and provided to students participating in the program.