To improve access to undergraduate research experiences in the area of trauma for groups typically underrepresented in this research—including veterans—a collaborative venture of the Falk College, SUNY Oswego and SUNY Upstate Medical University is now recruiting students for its 2019 program taking place May 20-June 27, 2019, on the SU campus.
The Undergraduate Trauma Research Training program is a National Science Foundation Research Education for Undergraduates (REU) opportunity directed by Brooks B. Gump, Falk Family Endowed Professor of Public Health, and co-directed by Karen Wolford, professor in the Department of Psychology and coordinator of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate Program in Trauma Studies at SUNY Oswego, and involves other faculty from their institutions and SUNY Upstate.
The six-week immersion program—bringing together veterans and non-veterans in a safe environment to pursue trauma research activities—includes coursework, mentored student-faculty interactions and the development of a research project. Participating students receive a $3,000 stipend for attending the summer session. Room and board are provided free of charge, as needed.
Ten student-veterans and traditional students completed the 2018 Undergraduate Trauma Research Training program, during which they attended seminars on research methods and statistics; neurobiological, psychological and physiological aspects of trauma; and research ethics, as well as weekly self-care lessons and graduate school application workshops.
Now in its eighth year, the program draws on personal experiences of veterans who understand the nature and context of traumatic events. By gaining a scientific understanding of trauma, students who complete the program gain essential tools they can use to improve the quality of life for themselves and others, including veterans. Read more about one REU participant’s experience here.
The program is purposefully structured to span one full year. Following the summer program, students will continue their research under the mentorship of REU faculty during the Fall 2019 semester. Students are expected to present their research at a national conference the following spring. Travel and registration expenses for the conference are provided to the student through the program.
For more information about the program, and to submit an application, please visit the Syracuse University REU website or contact Ivan Castro at iecastro@syr.edu. Application deadline is March 1, 2019.