• Program Calendar for 2007-2008
• Thursday, 29 Nov. 2007  Status Report from the Burma and Thai Border  6:00 pm at CBU in S153

• MHIRT Objectives     Overview Slide show
• Application Guidelines     Program Description
• EligibilityStudents Faculty      Academic Focus 

Length of Study       Home Institution
• Evaluation criteria          Funding and Academic Credit

• Application Form
• Frequently Asked Questions

• Overview Slide Show      2001 slide show

• 2007 Project Descriptions (MSWord)

• Recent Press Coverage:
• CBU Awarded MHIRT Research Grant by John Kerr July 2005  Memphis Business Journal 15 July 2005

• Applications for Summer 2008 are now being accepted!

Information on Current Projects
2007 Project Descriptions
2007 Project Descriptions MSWord

• Florianopolis, Brazil
• Dr. Maria Risoleta Marques's Lab
• Dr. Antonio de Padua Carobrez's Lab
• São Paulo, Brazil
• Dr. Luiz Britto's Lab, Univ. São Paulo (Dr. Britto's CV)
• Dr. Claudio Toledo's Lab, City University of São Paulo. 
• Curitiba, Brazil.    Dr. Bonald C. Figueiredo's lab. 
• Belém, Brazil  (new in 2006) Research on retinitis pigmentosa
• Pantanal and Emas National Park, Brazil
• Dr. Leandro Silveira.  Carnivore conservation projects
• Uganda 
• Health Needs Assessment (new in 2005)
•  Malaria Prevention Education (new in 2005)
• All MHIRT participants attend these activities:
• BioEthics Workshop at CBU
• Team building workshop in Perryville, Ark. at Heifer Project.  Photos: 20072006
• Cross Cultural Training

• Overview:  Minority Health International Research Training is in its seventh year of training undergraduate and graduate students in basic science, qualitative and clinical research at CBU.  The program begins accepting students in the fall semester with the deadline for applications the end of January.  After acceptance, students going to Brazil begin Portuguese language lessons with a native speaker.  There are also two sites involving qualitative methods and public health in rural Uganda.  The students also attend two weekend retreats in the spring semester prior to departure.  The students spend 10-12 weeks in the foreign site and work with researchers in laboratories or clinics.  Upon return the students gather for a weekend retreat to present a power point on their summer research.  The outcome assessments for the program in addition to the power point presentation are a paper written in journal article, APA style and a reflection essay.  The grant pays for all travel related expenses, room and board and a stipend.  Any US citizen can apply, but students from the Universities participating in the Memphis area are given preference.  For further information contact Dr. Malinda Fitzgerald (malinda@cbu.edu).  Overview Slide Show 
• The MHIRT grant to CBU funds an innovative science and research program involving CBU, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and Tennessee State University. Dr. Malinda Fitzgerald, Associate Professor of Biology at CBU, and Dr. Raul Ribeiro from St. Jude oversee the three-year funding initiative which impacts local and international scientific research. 
• There are several types of funded summer research opportunities available to undergraduates which involve joining research teams in Brazil or Uganda.  For example, the research projects for 2005 included vision research in São Paulo under the direction of Dr. Toledo and, in Florianopolis, projects on memory acquisition (Dr. Antonio Padua Carobrez).

• Scroll down this page for a more detailed description of the program and eligibility criteria.
• MHIRT Application Guidelines 2008
• For further information on applying for a grant, contact Dr. Malinda Fitzgerald.
• Professional Oncology Education Program (a predoctoral research training program from St. Jude).
• Links to More Summer Research and Internship Programs

• 27 January 2008  (rolling acceptances)
• Deadline for applications for Summer projects.

February - May 2008

• 14-16 March 2008

Annual Team Building Workshop:  Global Challege at Heifer Ranch in Perryville Ark.

For all students accepted to MHIRT for Summer 2008. 

• Portugese Lessons for MHIRT Students who will travel to Brazil

• Portugese-Lesson-1.htm
• Portugues-perguntas.htm
• Vamos-pasear.htm

• May 2008  at CBU 

Annual MHIRT Bioethics Workshop

~9:30 am--3:00 pm CBU campus map

This workshop is required by NIH as a part of the MHIRT program.

 All interested CBU Biology Students and prospective MHIRT participants are encouraged to attend.

• May 2007  at CBU 
• All MIRT participants should plan to attend both morning and afternoon sessions

• May or June through August 2007

• Projects Symposium and Wrap up for Summer 2007 projects   Photos are posted.
• Symposium Presentations: 

9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. in room S155 (Science Building), CBU. CBU campus map

• Friday, 14 Sept.:  Arrival of out of town students. 
• Saturday, 15 Sept.:  Presentations
 
• Come to the symposium to find out more about the MHIRT program in Brazil and Uganda.  (RSVP to Dr. Fitzgerald to attend the luncheon) Prospective applicants should plan on attending this symposium.

MHIRT is a paid internship.  All expenses relative to travel, room and board, preparation, and workshops are paid for and you receive a stipend.
• For more information on MHIRT, the symposium and to attend the luncheon, please contact:  malinda@cbu.edu

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 8:30 Coffee and muffins in hall outside S155
 9:00  Dr. Malinda Fitzgerald Brief overview of MHIRT
 9:15  Chemetra Patrick and Jacob McMillan  "Testing the limits of color vision by manipulating spatial frequency and color contrast." Mentor Dr. Luiz Carlos de Lima Silveira, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belem Brazil.
 9:30  Kyle Summers  "Serotonergic innervation of Superior Salivatory Nucleus."  Mentor Dr. Claudio A.B. Toledo, UNCID Sao Paulo Brazil. 
 9:45  Phuongdinh Nguyen "The Effects of Odor-Shock Pairing on Rats' Neurobehaviors"  Mentor Dr. Antonio Padua Carobraez, Department of Pharmacology University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis Brazil.
10:00  Jennifer Meeks and Ben Lyon "Voices from No-Man's Land: An Assessment of Psychosocial Interventions in Northern Uganda."  Mentors Dr. Teri Mason, Dr. Mohamed Kanu and Ms. Julia Hanebrink, CBU and TSU.
10:15 Jessica Harmon “Emas National Park Scat Detector Dog Project” Mentors Carly H Vynne University of WA and Dr. Leandro Silveria Carnivore Conservation, Brazil.
10:30  Maria Shiue “HSP-60 Levels in the Gills of Crassostrea gigas.”  Mentor Dr. Maria Risoleta Marques, Department of Biochemistry, University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis Brazil.
10:45  Andy Trent  “Public Health Education at the Mae Tao Clinic, Thailand.” Mentor Meredith Walsh MPH
11:00  Susan Acuff and Jennifer Haaga  "Investigating Allele Configuration Between Li-Fraumeni Syndrome and p53 Polymorphism (and their Relationship in Reference to Dual Inheritance)."  Mentors Dr. Bonald C. Figueiredo and Dr. Roberto Rosati.
11:15  Michael Webb “Understanding the Endocannabinoid System and Its possible Roles in Neuroprotection.” Mentors Dr. Luiz R. G. Britto, Gabriela Chaves, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
11:30  Kasebaoth Mekonnen and Mary Fryman “Malaria Education in Ishaka, Uganda.”  Mentors Julia Hanebrink, Dr. Teri Mason, and Dr. Mohamed Kanu.
11:45  Scott Landis "Future Plans for Potential South Africa MHIRT sites."
Noon:  Lunch served in area outside S155*    *others are welcome just let Dr. Fitzgerald know by Tues.9/11
 1:15  Wrap-up and Evaluation.  Debriefing and discussion of summer work, evaluations and other business for the 2007 MHIRT students.

• Talk on MHIRT Research Opportunties 
• 1:00 p.m. at University of Memphis
• Room 220 Smith Chemistry Building
• Dr. Malinda Fitzgerald will be speaking at the SAACS meeting. 
• This was arranged by Angel Greene.

12:30 - 1:45 p.m. Room S214

• Dr. Maria Risoleta Marques  Project description
• "Use of heat shock protein expression as bioindicators in environmental pollution."
• Dr. Marques is an environmental scientist interested in using heat shock protein expression in either bivalves or shrimp as a bioindicator of environmental pollution.  Techniques used in this research include Western blots of tissue obtained from shrimp or bivalues that have been exposed to heavy metals.   Department of Biochemistry, University of Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina Island, Florianopolis, Brazil
• Slide show about Dr. Marques's research
• Dr. Antonio de Padua Carobrez  Project description
• "Studying Defensive Behavior in Rodents to Understand Anxiety"  Slide presentation online
• Dr. Padua is a behavioral pharmacologist interested in the use of neuropharmacology to investigate anxiety and memory. 

Department of Pharmacology, University of Santa Catarina, Santa Catarina Island, Florianopolis, Brazil
• Slide presentation about Dr. Padua's research
• Dr. Claudio Toledo Project description
• "Glutamate receptor expression during development in the visual system"
• Dr. Claudio Toledo, São Paulo, Brazil.Dr. Toledo presents an overview of Brazilian life and his vision research (Nov. 2000).
• Dr. Claudio Toledo's Lab, City University of São Paulo. 

Dr. Maria Risoleta Marques and Dr. Antonio de Padua Carobrez will be meeting with interested students during their visit to CBU. 

Project description

• Dr. Claudio Toledo will be meeting with interested students during his visit to CBU.
• Project description

Above: Drs. Toledo, Risoleta Marques, and Padua Carobrez
during their visit to CBU, Nov 2007.

Meredith Walsh and Andrew Trent will be speaking at CBU about their experiences on the Burma-Thai Border, working with internally displaced individuals. 

Meredith, a Memphis native has been working with refugees in Thailand and Burma for two years and she served as a MHIRT summer 2007 research mentor for Andy Trent, a second year medical student from UT Memphis. 

• The program will be on November 29th at 6pm in S153 and is open to the public.  They will talk about their experiences at the Mao Tao clinic and their first hand experiences.

• Projects Symposium and Wrap up for Summer 2005 projects and Five-Year Reunion

• Symposium Presentations: 9:00 a.m.-12:00p.m. in room S153 (Science Building), CBU. CBU campus map

• Summer 2004 Projects Symposium

Summer 2003 Projects Symposium

 8:30  Coffee and muffins in hall outside S214
 9:00 Dr. Malinda Fitgerald Brief overview of MHIRT
 9:15  Kat Wells  Pediatric Oncology, Curitiba BR
 9:30  Manny Patel and Mechelle Elosiebo Hope North, Uganda
 9:50  Hannah Shackelford Heat Shock Protein and environmental pollution in shrimp, Florinapolis, BR
10:05  Laura Paxson, Visual Evoked Potentials, Belem BR
10:20  Marvin Lai and Abdul Ba, Glutamate receptors and injury, Sao Paulo BR
10:40  Crystal Ton and Julia Hanebrink, Malaria Education, Ishaka Uganda
11:00  Niki Patel, Molecular biology and pediatric oncology, Curitiba BR
11:15  Laura Anglin and Ashley Ragsdale, Diet and Home Range of carnivores at Emas Park, BR
11:35  Chinara Tate, Contrast sensitivity testing, Belem, BR
11:50  Heather Woolls, Neuropharmacology and behavior, Florinapolis, BR

Lunch served in area outside S153*    *others are welcome just let Dr. Fitzgerald know by Wed 9/13

Wrap-up and Evaluation
 1:15    Update on video project 2 (Hope North, Uganda) from Manny Patel
 1:30-4:00  Debriefing and discussion of summer work, evaluations and other business for the 2006 MHIRT students
 

Teri Mason (Behavioral Sciences) took three MHIRT program student participants to the 66th Annual Meeting of the Society for Applied Anthropology, in Vancouver, British Columbia, in March 2006 to present research from summer 2005 projects in Uganda.

The 2005 ABRCMS is in Atlanta

• Christina Brown.  Mentor Dr. Bonald Figueiredo. 
• Jennifer  Paxson.   Mentor: Dr. Maria Marques. 
• Reena Patel and Bob Dalsania.   Mentors: Dr. Raquel Pires, Dr. Claudio Toledo and Dr. Malinda Fitzgerald. 

Annette Diggs.   (U. of Memphis) Mentor:  Dr. Antonio P. Carobrez.

MIRT Participants from Summer 2004 presented their results and shared their experiences in Uganda and Brazil. 

• Summer 2003 Projects Symposium

Adriane Wilkinson (Glutamate receptors)

Ashley Miller (Cadmium Exposure Biomarkers)

Brandon Ballard (CB1 receptors in chick brain)

Cristina Martinez (Adrenocortical Cancer)

Jennifer Longo and Sara Lynch (Maned Wolf)

Jerad Schultz (Glutamate receptors)

Kelley Ward (Plus Maze)

Reddy Jenkins (DNA hybridization)

Uganda Team report Adrian Daniels, Sarah Firth, Steven Moore, and Meredith Walsh (Client Perceptions of the AIG Personal Accident Policy)

Uganda pictures 2004

Slide Presentations:

• Nathan Daulton and Daniela Palacio "Biochemical Responses of the Brown Mussel Perna Perna exposed to Lead and Paraquat"

Dr. Maria Risoleta F. Marques, Florianopolis, Brazil
• Manny Patel (CBU) "Anxiolytic effects of 8 OH DPAT are abolished in test-experienced rats submitted to the elevated plus maze."  Dr. A. P. Carobrez, Florianopolis, Brazil
• Kim Ries and Cynthia Caceres (CBU) "Distribution of AMPA-type Glutamate Receptor Subunits in Oculomotor and Facial Motor Nuclei in Rat and Chicken Brain" Dr. Claudio Toledo, Sao Paulo, Brazil 

• Donna Winters "Malaria Prevention Strategy" Dr. Janet McCord, Uganda, Africa

Kim Rivers, Jennifer Sykes, and Tanchica Terry 2003 research "A Mixed Methods Study of Health Utilization and Health Outcomes Among Ugandans Participating in Alternative Healthcare Financing" and "A Preliminary Report Malaria prevention strategies in rural Uganda:  A pilot study of community perceptions"  Janet McCord, Uganda, Africa

The fundraiser was a lock-up and party at Panchos Mexican Restaurant on 15 November 2003.
The "Easy Access to Bed Nets" organization was founded by three MIRT students [Teshie Dotson (CBU), Crystal Ton (Univ. Memphis) and Brett Wainger (CBU, ’03)] during their summer 2003 research trip to Uganda.  More information about the Bednets project and its funding (MSWord). 
• Article in the 14 Nov. 2003 Commercial Appeal

• Dr. Leandro Silviera from Emas National Park was at CBU to give a seminar on his program in Brazil. 
• His  talk was at 12:00 in room S201.  His topic was jaguar conservation. 

Dr. Silvera directed the summer 2004 research by  Jennifer Longo and Sara Lynch on Maned Wolves.

• Dr. Risoletta Marques from Florianopolis, Brazil presented a seminar on her research.
• Dr. Marques' 2003 seminar

• Nathan Daulton and Daniela Palacio "Biochemical Responses of the Brown Mussel Perna Perna exposed to Lead and Paraquat"
• Here are some photos from Dr. Maria Risoleta F. Marques, Florianopolis, Brazil 

• Dr. Antonio Padua Carobrez's 2003 seminar.
• Dr. Padua was Manny Patel's mentor during the summer of 2003 and he was very happy with the work Manny did in his lab.
• Manny Patel's research was "Anxiolytic effects of 8 OH DPAT are abolished in test-experienced rats submitted to the elevated plus maze."

Dr. Antonio Padua Carobrez Department of Pharmacology Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC Brazil

• Photos from the 10 Sept. 2002 MIRT Information Session

 
• Past MIRT Seminars

• MIRT funded research opportunities

Dr. Malinda Fitzgerald
• Vision Research in Brazil Wednesday, 11 October 2006  Vision Research Opportunties in Brazil: MHIRT Informational Meeting

Dr. Claudio Toledo, one of the Brazilian mentors for the MHIRT program, answered questions about future research in Brazil.  The summer research opportunity is open to juniors and above.
• Research opportunities in Uganda. 

Formerly directed by Dr. Janet McCord, CBU Dept. of Religion and Philosophy.
• Dr. Maria Risoleta Marques was in Memphis from Florianopolis Brazil on 21 Nov. 2002. 

Dr. Marques discussed her research in aquatic environmental science.  One of her research interests is the expression of heat shock proteins in bivalves as an environmental pollution indicator.
View Dr. Marques' seminar slides on the web.

• Dr. Malinda Fitzgerald, CBU,  presents an overview of the MIRT program. View a slide show from Dr. Fitzgerald (with photos from Summer 2001)
• Dr. Raul Ribeiro, St. Jude.  Dr. Ribero describes the St. Jude International Outreach Program and partners for MIRT. View a slide show from Dr. Ribeiro's talk Nov. 2000.
• Dr. Claudio Toledo, São Paulo, Brazil.  Dr. Toledo presents an overview of Brazilian life and his vision research (Nov. 2000).

The Minority Health International Research Training grants are designed to offer research training opportunities to qualified eligible students and faculty to participate in international biomedical and behavioral research programs abroad. The proposed training program is expected to increase awareness of international research issues and opportunities, acquaint students with a range of career opportunities in biomedical and behavioral research and encourage participants to pursue post-baccalaureate degrees and careers in biomedical and behavioral research especially related to minority health problems.  The program is also expected to enhance the training efforts and international collaborative research activities of the faculty participants.

The following specific objectives have been identified based on the overall goals for the MIRT program:

1. To support research experience for qualified eligible undergraduate students in international laboratories under the mentorship of outstanding U.S. and foreign scientists including:

• Training in experimental design, interpretation of data and the use of current scientific equipment and analytical methods.
• Knowledge of the scientific literature associated with their projects, biomedical research ethics and cultural aspects affecting scientific and medical issues at the foreign site.
• Experience in the written and oral presentation of scientific research.
• Encouragement to complete a baccalaureate degree and enter graduate or professional school to pursue a biomedical or behavioral research career.

3. To facilitate research collaborations between minority scientists and scientists at centers of excellence in biomedical and behavioral research abroad resulting in expanded research capabilities, scientific conference presentations, publications and subsequent grant applications for continuing research support.

• PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Funded by the Fogarty International Center and the National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health, the MID-SOUTH COALITION FOR MINORITY INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH provides international research training opportunities to qualified minority undergraduates, graduate and medical students underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral research careers.  The Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training (MHIRT) Grant Program, is under new management (as of 2005) at the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities.
 
• Through academic programs in their home institutions, students acquire the basic skills needed to conduct research and become eligible to participate in a research project in Brazil or Uganda.
• Research projects will be undertaken that address problems inherent to health care in minority and rural populations in the U.S. and in developing countries.
• Depending upon their special interest, students participate in laboratory research in Florianopolis or São Paulo, wildlife biology at Emas National Park, or a study of health care quality or efficacy of mosquito net education in rural Uganda. 
• The primary mission of this program is provide minority students with an opportunity to undertake international research that has the potential to make a real difference in the health care of under served populations in the U.S. and developing countries.
| More info from NIH |
• ELIGIBILITY

Participating students and faculty must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• Minimum Requirements.
• Preference is given to undergraduate students who have completed at least two years of course work in a major related to biomedical or behavioral science, have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, and previous undergraduate research experience.
• Undergraduates with a GPA of less than 3.0 may be considered if a letter of reference from a faculty member of their home institution indicates evidence of exceptional scientific interest and talent.
• Graduate or medical students may be accepted after all eligible undergraduates are placed. 
• U.S. faculty applicants wishing to serve as mentors for student participants must have doctoral degrees and full-time appointments at a member institution in the MID-SOUTH COALITION FOR MINORITY INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH. 
• U.S. faculty mentors should show evidence of their ongoing collaboration with the proposed foreign training site institution including sources of funding for research conducted there and recent publications resulting from that research.  A proposed training plan should be submitted describing possible student research projects, research skills to be taught and estimating the time that the mentor will spend with students in research and training activities, before, during (if necessary) and after travel to the foreign site.  Proposed U.S. faculty mentors should also provide evidence of experience in successfully training undergraduate or graduate students in research.
• Academic Focus.
• Student applicants must demonstrate an interest in undertaking serious study in another country as part of their academic and career goals as indicated: 
• (1) in the Statement of Purpose essay attached to their Application, and 
• (2) for those applying to work in Brazil, by completion of courses in Portuguese prior to their international experience or participation in intensive language tutoring.
• Assessment of language competency will affect the specific projects for which the applicant is eligible.
• Language competency is self assessed by applicants on their application and may be orally confirmed prior to project assignments.
• Length of Study.
• Applicants will undertake training in research methods and/or  preliminary research for a minimum of one year prior to placement in an international laboratory, clinic, or qualitative research site.
• Student work on-site in Brazil or Uganda will last a minimum of 10 weeks and coincide with the summer sessions of U.S. colleges and universities.
• Home Institution. The MID-SOUTH COALITION FOR MINORITY INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH is committed to widely publicizing this opportunity to minority students in colleges and universities located in Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee.
• When students of equal talent apply, preference will be given to students recommended by faculty from institutions that are active members of the consortium.  Current members include: Christian Brothers University, LeMoyne-Owen College, Rust College, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital International Outreach, and Tennessee State University.
• REVIEW OF APPLICANTS

Each application will be reviewed by a multi-disciplinary panel including one representative from each member institution of the MID-SOUTH COALITION FOR MINORITY INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH and at least two panel members from institutions external to the consortium. 
The following criteria are used by the review panel to evaluate applications:
• Specific objectives of applicant and how these may be met by the program
• Academic record and potential to succeed in the proposed study
• Language interest and aptitude (for Brazil)
• Maturity and flexibility as indicated by letters of reference and Statement of Purpose
• Expected impact of study on future academic and international career goals
• Students will be notified of the results of this review in February.
• FUNDING
Selected students will be provided with travel related expenses and living expenses while on the international research site.
• ACADEMIC CREDIT
Most students will be able to earn academic credit through their home institution's independent study programs.  The Program director will discuss this issue with the student and their institution at the time of selection. 

• (1) Applicant Data Form. 

Applicant data form to download and print  (MSWord).

If you have trouble downloading the form, please contact Dr. Fitzgerald to request that a copy of the form be emailed, mailed or faxed to you to fill out and send in.

• (2) Statement of Purpose. The Statement of Purpose is a critical part of the application and should include: 

(a) Why you want to conduct research abroad and how it will further your specific research project; 

(b) Your specific career objectives that relate to international study/research; 

(c) How you will apply your study abroad experience to your academic work upon returning to your home institution; and 

(d) Why you feel particularly suited or qualified to pursue this program of study. 

• The application must include your contact email address.  The Applicant Data Form and Statement of purpose may be mailed or submitted by email.
• (3) College transcript(s).  Original, official transcript(s) should sent, not a photocopy.  Transcripts can be accepted after the rest of the application is submitted.

• (4) Three Letters of Reference.  Letter of Reference forms are to be distributed by the applicant to references.  Individuals providing a reference should complete the reference form, place in a sealed envelope, sign across the flap and return to the applicant to be submitted with the other parts of the application.  Each letter of reference must include a contact email address.  Alternatively, referees can mail or email letters of reference directly to Dr. Fitzgerald. 

• Each part of the application is important and a final decision cannot be made until all four parts are received.

Yes.  We realize that many qualified students attend other institutions, and that we have not yet contacted all institutions that may wish to participate in this program. Contact the program by mail, fax, phone, or email at the address shown above and we will answer questions about the application and assist you with finding an appropriate contact person on your campus.

No.  For work in Brazil, you are required to show proof of language study on your application form.  If selected, you may be asked to take an oral examination so that you can be placed in the best possible international setting for you. An intensive three month language course will be available to students without prior structured course work.

The Statement of Purpose is a critical part of the application.  This is your opportunity to present your reasons for wanting to participate in an international opportunity.  Reviewers will be studying your application for evidence that you are capable, flexible and that your decision to travel to an international research site is purposeful, goal oriented and in keeping with the mission of the program. The primary mission of this program is to provide minority students and other underrepresented groups in Science with an opportunity to undertake international research that has the potential to make a real difference in the health care of under served populations in the U.S. and developing countries.

Yes.  In fact, the MID-SOUTH COALITION FOR MINORITY INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH encourages you to apply.  One of the primary objectives of the program is to provide qualified minority students with the opportunity to further their career goals by participating in international opportunities.

Yes, the cost of visa, passport, airfare, food and housing while you are away and a small per diem for on-site expenses will be covered. 

You will be sent an acceptance packet that will include steps to follow.  First, you will have to acknowledge your acceptance and return a health form signed by your family physician.  Next, you will need to complete the forms needed to acquire a passport and visa (if needed).  You will also receive the schedule for a mandatory orientation that you will attend prior to leaving the country. All the questions you may still have regarding what to take with you, travel and living arrangements, and cultural and training issues for the specific site you will visit will be answered at that orientation.