Undergraduate Pipeline Network Summer Research Program

Opportunity Description:

The Undergraduate Pipeline Network summer research experience seeks to cultivate students' interest in research while helping them attain skills needed to apply for and succeed in post-baccalaureate education. The program provides the opportunity for students to choose from several areas of research at the University of New Mexico's Health Sciences Center.  The program period covers 10 weeks in the summer and scholars participate in the program a minimum of 40 hours per week.

The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center is a cutting edge health research center with more than $145 million in grants each year and more than 20 current clinical trials. New Mexico is rich with scientific and technological capabilities, which allows our researchers to take advantage of nearby resources by combining regional scientific strengths into our programs. UNM faculty and students regularly collaborate with scientists from Sandia National Laboratories, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute; and with scientists at New Mexico State University. 

Each scholar is mentored during the program by a faculty member. In addition, scholars will have regular contact with a graduate student, post-doctoral fellow, medical resident, clinical fellow, or research staff member during the entire period of their program. Each scholar has a research project that provides the student with sufficient opportunity to demonstrate his/her ability to conduct independent research. Scholars will present their research project to the scientific community during the program’s competitive poster symposium.

The UPN Program awards each scholar a summer experience package to cover a stipend, activity fees and some meals. The UPN Program awards each scholar a research stipend up to $5000.00

2022 program dates: June 1 - August 5, 2022

Primary Responsibilities: 

UPN Scholars are expected to:

• Give full-time commitment to their research
• Attend the weekly seminar series
• Attend all activities
• Prepare a poster and present their research at a poster symposium
• Complete all evaluations in a timely manner
• Treat all members of the UNM community in a respectful manner, recognizing the impact that their attitude may have on others
• Promptly seek help regarding any problem s/he is experiencing, at a minimum reporting the problem to someone in a position to help
• Follow the UNM Code of Conduct. Students who violate this code may be dismissed from the program
• Submit weekly time sheets approved by their mentor by noon each Friday

Minimum Qualifications and/or Eligibility Requirements: 

Students must:

• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• Be an enrolled undergraduate at the time of the program and a graduation date no earlier than the December following the program.
• Currently attend a college or university in the United States.
• Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident (green card holder).

While there are no definitive quantitative requirements, the program is looking for highly-qualified students with an interest in one or more of the following fields:

• Infectious Disease & Immunity
• Brain & Behavioral Neurosciences
• Cancer Biology
• Environmental Toxicology & Pharmacology
• Cardiovascular & Metabolic Disease
• Community Based/Health Disparities

All students who satisfy the above qualifications are welcome to apply to the UPN program.

Students who are a part of the following categories are highly encouraged to apply:

• Underrepresented students: Students who are from an underrepresented group in the sciences as defined by NIH. If you have any questions about eligibility you may contact the program at SOMREO@salud.unm.edu to determine if you qualify.
• New Mexico:
  • All students who attend colleges and universities in New Mexico.
  • New Mexico Residents who attend out-of-state colleges and universities.
• All students who attend Minority-serving Institutions including:
  • All Hispanic-serving Institutions
  • All Historically Black Colleges and Universities
  • All Tribal Colleges and Universities
  • Native-American-Serving, Non-tribal Institutions
• All students who attend colleges and universities in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada or Wyoming.

If you have any questions about eligibility you may contact SOMREO@salud.unm.edu to determine if you qualify.

Application Process: 

In order to be considered for the upcoming UPN cohort your complete application package must be received by the Application Deadline and include the completed online UPN application AND the following additional documents:

• A copy of your transcripts from every college or university you've attended.
• A copy of your academic resume/CV
• Your personal statement about why you would like to be considered for the Summer Research Experience. Please ensure to address your career goals and reasons for wanting to engage in summer research.
• The UPN Program requires one (1) letter of recommendation before the February 1 deadline to complete your application package. Provide the name and contact information for your reference, in your online UPN application. Ideally, your reference should be either a faculty member at an institution of higher learning or a recent research mentor. Additionally, they should be able to comment on your current ability to perform academically and/or on your recent research experience.
  • It is your responsibility to contact your referee with instructions to send your letter of recommendation directly to the UPN program via email (somreo@salud.unm.edu) Subject line should read "UPN Recommendation for XXXX (XXXX=your name)" from their official university or business email.
  • It is also your responsibility to ask for your letter of recommendation before you submit the referee information on the application and to ensure that your letter of recommendation is received by SOMREO prior to the February 1st deadline.
  • FERPA Waiver: The admissions committee appreciates recommendation letters that provide a genuine, honest evaluation of an applicant's ability to be successful in our program. When applicants do not waive their FERPA right to see letters of recommendation, the admissions committee tends to worry that the recommendation letter is less candid and less valuable for understanding a candidate's true ability. Thus, the general rule for letters of recommendation in college admissions is that they are kept confidential from the applicants, and applicants tend to waive their FERPA right to see their letters of recommendation.

All components of the UPN Application are due no later than February 1. Your reference may be contacted by us to verify information provided by you or your recommender.

Application Deadline: