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By Katie Stinson
The National Research Mentoring Network’s guided virtual mentoring platform, MyMentor, launched on January 22, 2018 and has been helping mentors and mentees strengthen their education and careers. While the NRMN anticipated a decline in mentoring connections over the summer, they instead experienced a boost thanks to several academic coordinators who sought a way to enhance their summer programs through mentoring.
Most undergraduate summer programs provide their students with an on-campus mentor. However, a multi-faceted mentoring approach yields the best results for students, especially in the undergraduate level. This summer, NRMN has worked with students from the following programs:
Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) U-STAR. Awards provide support for undergraduate students who are underrepresented in the biomedical sciences to improve their preparation for high-caliber graduate training at the Ph.D. level. Source: https://www.nigms.nih.gov/Training/MARC/Pages/USTARAwards.aspx
Summer Multicultural Advanced Research Training (SMART) Program. Undergraduate students to participate in a 10-week biomedical sciences project at the University of North Texas Health Science Center campus. Participants become familiar with the varied disciplines and methodology used in biomedical research. Source: https://www.unthsc.edu/academic-affairs/center-for-diversity-and-international-programs/summer-research-internships/summer-multicultural-advancement-research-training/
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Summer Research Internship Program. Supports undergraduate students with a focus on increasing underrepresented populations in drug abuse research. Through this program, adult students are introduced to the field of drug abuse and addiction research by participating in research internships with NIDA’s distinguished scientists across the United States. Students work with leading scientists for eight weeks during the summer. The internship may include laboratory experiments, data collection, data analysis, formal courses, participation in lab meetings, patient interviews, manuscript preparation, library research, and literature reviews. In addition, it is expected that each intern will deliver a formal presentation on his/her research project at the end of the internship. Source: https://www.drugabuse.gov/offices/office-nida-director-od/office-diversity-health-disparities-odhd/odhd-research-training-programs/nida-summer-research-internship-program
HBCU Undergraduate Collaborative Summer Training Program in Prostate Cancer. A collaboration between UNT Health Science Center and Alabama State University, the program offers summer research internship opportunities for undergraduate students interested in prostate cancer research. Source: https://www.unthsc.edu/academic-affairs/center-for-diversity-and-international-programs/diversity-and-inclusion/hbcu-undergraduate-collaborative-summer-training-program-in-prostate-cancer-hbcu/
Promoting Diversity in Research Training (PDRT). The overall goal of PRDT is to provide underrepresented minority individuals, who are enrolled in a health professional program, a challenging and focused research experience in health disparities related to cardiovascular, pulmonary, and hematologic and sleep disorders. Source: https://www.unthsc.edu/academic-affairs/center-for-diversity-and-international-programs/diversity-and-inclusion/graduate-training-fellowships/promoting-diversity-research-training-health-professionals-pdrt/
Pairing students with an on-campus mentor during their summer program can quickly build a level of comfort in a new environment. However, maintaining mentorship once the summer program ends may be difficult. The student and mentor might try to keep in touch via phone calls or emails, but if that communication practice wasn’t implemented during the summer, it likely won’t continue for very long into the new academic year.
The MyMentor platform helps address this problem and give mentors and mentees a tool to continue fostering their relationship. Because the communication channel is predominately virtual, it can easily find a place in even the busiest of schedules. MyMentor connections begin with a four-month duration, but can be customized to the length desired by the mentor and mentee. Mentoring connections established in the beginning of the summer programs will continue to thrive through the start of the new semester, building the foundation for lifelong support and growth.
*The MyMentor platform not only helps individuals to connect, it can also cater to the needs of specific groups and organizations. The multifaceted platform can be curated exclusively for any NRMN partners. Organizations or individuals seeking more information about MyMentor can contact Katie Stinson at katie.stinson@unthsc.edu.
