September 29, 2009

Students Present MHIRT Summer Projects at CBU

The Mid-South Coalition for Minority Health International Research Training (MHIRT) Projects Symposium and Wrap-up for Summer 2009 projects was recently held at Christian Brothers University (CBU).

MHIRT provides funded summer research opportunities for students in basic science, public health education and qualitative projects in Brazil, Thailand and Uganda. The 2009 projects results from summer international research experience were presented by students who attend colleges and universities throughout the Mid-South. This year’s students participated in projects in Uganda and Brazil.

The summer research projects allow students to assist underserved individuals in Brazil and Uganda. Students and professors traveled to these countries to conduct research on health related projects that benefit the native populations who are frequently underserved in health care. Approximately 15 students are sent on a MHIRT trip every year in the summer after having participated in preparation workshops the prior spring.

The MHIRT grant is given by the National Institutes of Health, and for the ninth year has received annual renewal. The grant enables the continued research, training and service projects that address the needs of the underserved populations across the globe. Dr. Malinda Fitzgerald, CBU professor of biology and the principal investigator of the Mid-South Coalition, serves as the project director. Dr. Teri Mason, CBU assistant professor of behavioral science, serves to coordinate the Uganda sites and Julia Hanebrink is the program coordinator.

To learn more about the MHIRT program at CBU, visit the Web site http://www.cbu.edu/mhirt. ###