The University of Chicago Center for Global Health - Metcalf 2016 Summer Research Fellowship

Informational Session February 17, 2016 Billings Hospital, J-103

Overview & Fellowship Structure •  10-week internship •  16 students will be selected •  Students will be divided into cohorts of 2-4

Interdisciplinary Global Health Project

University of Chicago Mentor Site Mentor

Undergraduate Fellow GPHAP/Graduate Fellow Medical Student Fellow Undergraduate Fellow

Bring theory to practice

Gains •  Students will benefit from first-hand experience working in a

research setting in Chicago and one of our partnering sites abroad

•  Students will gain valuable experience in: –  Collecting and analyzing data –  Relating to people of different backgrounds and experiences –  Collaborating with other researchers and peers –  Understanding and synthesizing research literature –  Formulating hypotheses –  Orally presenting results –  Thinking and working creatively and independently –  Applying knowledge to real-world situations

Application Process •  Applications are due to CGH by March 1, 2016

– Completed application form –  500 word personal statement – Resume

Application • Due March 1

Interviews • March 15-31

Match • April 1

Preparing your application: Personal Statement •  Avoid saying things like: “I’ve always wanted to travel to this

country.” •  This fellowship is primarily focused on research, not tourism

–  How do you envision applying your knowledge to inform a real global health project?

–  What skills are you looking to develop? –  What strengths would you bring to your team? –  What are your specific interests? –  What is your career trajectory, and how might this fellowship

help you grow?

2016 Timeline February 1 Posting Available to Students

February 17 Fellowship Informational Session

March 1 Student Applications Due

March 1-15 Application Review

March 15-31 Student Interviews

April 1 Students Notified of Acceptance

May 18 Pre-brief Orientation

Early June Quantitative/Qualitative Methods Training Camp

June 13 Seminar One: Introduction to Research

June 20 * Seminar Two: Preparing Your Written Report

July 1 – August 19 In-country Experience (8-10 weeks)

August 25 De-brief Session

September 1 Seminar Three: Preparing Your Presentation

September 10 Oral Presentations

October 1 Written Report of Summer Experience Due

TBD Poster and Oral Presentation at CGH Global Health Day

Example mentored research projects •  Bangladesh: Health, environment, and vulnerable populations •  Brazil: Urban health services and systems delivery •  China: Medical education and training •  Ghana: Community development •  Haiti: Women’s and children’s health and well-being •  Jordan: Human rights and refugee health •  Nigeria: Genomics and chronic non-communicable diseases –

Diabetes & Sickle Cell Disease •  Panama: Infectious disease and tropical medicine •  South Africa: Medical education and training & Gynecological

cancer

What to do before you depart: Meet with your mentor

•  Be proactive •  The mentor/mentee relationship starts when you are matched •  How to interact with your mentor:

–  Be clear in email or in person communication –  Set up regular (weekly, bi-weekly) face to face or conference call meetings –  Check in regularly by email – don’t hesitate to send reminders when appropriate –  Attend your mentors lab or research team meetings –  Discuss expectations from the start

Mentorship is a long-term opportunity, invest in the relationship and make the most of it

What to do before you depart: Prepare for your project

•  Become familiar with your research project •  Attend lab meetings if applicable •  Ask your mentor if there is relevant background literature you should be

familiar with •  Check in with in-country mentor •  Be proactive!

•  Prep, prep, prep! •  Seek clarity from your mentors (faculty and in-country) prior to departure

what it is that you’ll be doing there •  Set goals and deadlines with your mentor(s) for what you hope to

accomplish while there

What to do before you depart: Submitting a travel petition

•  What is this? •  You will be given details of exactly what the review panel is looking

for, they are not trying to trick you •  Not all travel warnings are created equal •  Used to ensure you have read and recognized potential dangers as

listed in a travel warning •  Prompts your thinking about logistical questions you might not have

thought to ask: –  Living, transportation to and from work, transportation from the airport, signing up

for U.S. State Dept.

•  You can –and should!-work with your mentor, but this process is for YOU

http://internationaltravel.uchicago.edu/page/travel-warning-countries

We are here for you

•  CGH is here to provide support and to help you have a successful and safe mentored research experience –  Facilitate regular web check-ins –  Liaise with mentors when necessary –  Assist in reviewing poster and oral

presentations –  Assist in post-fellowship opportunities

While you are there: Be flexible

•  Not everything will go as planned •  Reassess goals and plans so that you can still achieve what

you want •  Be open to working on projects outside of your original

plan •  If you feel like you could be doing more, with support of

you in-country mentor, propose additional projects

Q&A