RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY FOR ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SCIENCE (ROADS) Learn.
Care.
Live.
Cure.
DO YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH? MCW-Milwaukee offers students from diverse backgrounds a terrific educational opportunity through the Research Opportunity for Academic Development in Science (ROADS) program.
studentdiversity@mcw.edu | 414.955.8735 | www.mcw.edu/Diversity-Programs.htm
HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PATIENT CARE PROVIDERS
INNOVATIVE PIONEERS IN MEDICAL RESEARCH
RESPECTED LEADERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES
As the Associate Dean for Student Affairs/Diversity, I am passionate about education and my work gives me the chance to couple that passion with my personal conviction of supporting students who are underrepresented in medicine with the opportunity to realize their dreams as physicians and biomedical researchers. MCW provides a supportive environment in which students are mentored and challenged during their summer experience. Our office is here to help ensure your successful growth and development. Devotion to our students. Exceptional education and clinical development. Passionate faculty and researchers. Compassionate clinical care and dedication to the health of the community – this is the Medical College of Wisconsin. I invite you to discover more about our summer enrichment programs and consider applying.
Dawn S. Bragg PhD Dawn S. Bragg, PhD.
Associate Dean, Student Affairs/Diversity Associate Professor, Pediatric - Medical Education
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WHAT IS ROADS? Students interested in biomedical science serve as ROADS interns for seven-weeks during the summer. Each intern assists a MCW principal investigator (PI) who acts as their mentor on a current research project. This program is designed to provide participants with a meaningful experience in a research laboratory setting and to stimulate their career interest in science, medicine and biomedical research.
BACKGROUND ROADS, originally called the Apprenticeship in Research (AIR), was launched in 1990 and was funded by National Institutes of Health (NIH) and was offered to all multicultural high school students in the Milwaukee Public School (MPS) system and surrounding suburban school districts.
studentdiversity@mcw.edu | 414.955.8735 | www.mcw.edu/Diversity-Programs.htm
WHY IS THIS PROGRAM NECESSARY? The nation’s need for well-trained biomedical researchers is as great as ever. ROADS is a competitive program designed to provide internship opportunities for high school students from backgrounds that are historically underrepresented in biomedical research including individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, underrepresented cultural and ethnic groups, and individuals with disabilities. These are the populations we have identified as those which add value in our quest to enrich the diversity of our educational environment:
• African American
• Puerto Rican
• Hmong American
• Mexican American
• Native American
• LGBT
It is not our intent to designate these groups as more deserving of admission as we recognize that there are a myriad of factors that might post unique challenges to every individual. Rather, we identify these populations as ones in which a disconnect between (a) the perspectives of the population base(s) and (b) the perspectives engaged within the educational environment as represented through the student body, indicate benefit to be accrued through more focused and sustained outreach and recruitment efforts.
• Encourage students from diverse backgrounds to continue their education beyond high school and college
ROADS STRIVES TO
• Increase diverse student enrollment in graduate/medical school • Expose students to MCW, our staff, student body and programming
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PROGRAM BENEFITS During your seven-weeks, you will have the opportunity to: • Participate as an active member of a research team • Increase your understanding of critical issues in basic science and clinical research • Improve your learning skills and increase your scientific knowledge • Learn about career opportunities in research and health professions • Participate in group activities and a field trip • Conduct research, develop an abstract and present findings • Receive a course certificate of completion upon conclusion
PROJECT SEED PROGRAM Select students who demonstrate exceptional performance in chemistry will be offered acceptance into Project SEED, a program of the American Chemical Society (ACS) hosted at MCW. Students selected for this program will follow the basic structure of the ROADS program. In addition, SEED participants receive a fellowship award for their efforts and a chance to receive a SEED college scholarship.
STIPEND ROADS interns are paid a onetime stipend at the end of the program. Interns are encouraged to use these funds for scholarship support in the advancement of their education.
studentdiversity@mcw.edu | 414.955.8735 | www.mcw.edu/Diversity-Programs.htm
ADVANCED FACULTY As a national research center, the Medical College of Wisconsin is the largest private research institution in Wisconsin and ranks in the top onethird in the US for research funding from the National Institutes of Health. Faculty direct or collaborate on more than 2,000 research studies annually. The opportunity to learn from faculty who are among the top physicians and research scientists in the country means students are surrounded by biomedical innovation. This gives them a tremendous head start on career exploration.
The labs that we were assigned to were just overall awesome places to work. - Program Participant
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APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS & PROCEDURE Interested in applying to ROADS? Please complete the following steps.
Please visit our website for the deadline date www.mcw.edu/ Diversity-Programs.htm
Submit two (2) electronic recommendations. You will receive an email link to be forwarded to your recommenders to complete the process. Mailed recommendations are not accepted.
Complete online application, must have parental/guardian support and permission
Be available for the entire duration of the seven-week program. Commitment is an estimated 40 hours per week.
• High School Science Teacher (required) • High School Guidance Counselor, Administrative Staff • Employer, Internship Program Staff
studentdiversity@mcw.edu | 414.955.8735 | www.mcw.edu/Diversity-Programs.htm
Submit official high school transcript in sealed envelope via US mail to: Medical College of Wisconsin Office of Student Affairs/Diversity Attn: Program Manager 8701 Watertown Plank Road Milwaukee, WI 53226
If selected, be available for an interview - usually during the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) spring break
Failure to submit all of the requirements by the deadline voids review. NO applications are accepted beyond the deadline.
Competitive Program • Apply Early!
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A strength of the program is that it teaches students the independence they need to learn for the professional world by assigning everybody to a different lab. - Program Participant
LEARN. LIVE. CARE. CURE.
studentdiversity@mcw.edu | 414.955.8735 | www.mcw.edu/Diversity-Programs.htm
HOW DO I QUALIFY? Students are chosen competitively based on strong letters of recommendation, academic accomplishments, interest and their interview. Students must also demonstrate a serious interest in a biomedical research, science or medicine career and meet the following criteria: • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident • Must be at least 16 years old • Be from an ethnically, economically and/or educationally disadvantaged background • Have a strong science and math GPA, at least 3.0 • Attend a high school in the Milwaukee Public System (MPS), Milwaukee charter school, Milwaukee area private school or surrounding suburban school district • Rising junior, senior or June graduate
Exceptions to these eligibility criteria will be considered individually by the Selection Committee at the Medical College of Wisconsin. PLEASE NOTE: Children of MCW faculty and staff are not eligible to apply for summer enrichment programs.
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Research more at www.mcw.edu This program is funded through private donations. To make a donation please visit our website: https://ecommerce1.mcw.edu Search: ROADS Contact the Office of Development (414) 955-4700
Learn.
Live.
Care.
CONTACT INFORMATION Medical College of Wisconsin Office of Student Affairs/Diversity 8701 Watertown Plank Road Milwaukee, WI 53226 Phone: 414.955.8735 Fax: 414.955.0129 studentdiversity@mcw.edu
Cure.