The John Jenkins Pathway Programs at Rush University Medical Center

Under Dr. Elizabeth Berry-Kravis’s leadership, Rush is one of a handful of academic medical centers in the country with the expertise and infrastructure to provide top-tier educational and learning opportunities for students interested in pursuing neurodevelopmental sciences and in particular pediatric translational neuroscience.  

To support the next generation of clinician-scientists in this vital field, Rush will launch two innovative pathway programs named for former president of the University of Notre Dame, Father John Jenkins. These programs are designed to attract and cultivate high-achieving students interested in translational and applied clinical sciences, clinical care, therapy development and treatments, including new disease modifying drugs for rare neurodevelopmental diseases that have lifelong implications for patients and their families. Participating students will be guided by Rush University and neurodevelopmental sciences faculty.

The Summer Scholars Program will offer undergraduate students who have declared their undergraduate major a unique opportunity to gain immersive, hands-on experience in the field of neurodevelopmental and translational neurosciences. This program will provide three scholars with an opportunity to shadow clinicians, engage in ongoing research initiatives, and explore the intersection of clinical practice and scientific discovery.

Program Activities: This program is designed to inspire and prepare the next generation of leaders in neurological sciences. It will offer selected students a range of experiences for them to learn and discern what career path they may want to pursue. Students will work predominantly on one neurodevelopmental condition/project alongside a coordinator, while being exposed to several conditions and treatments. Examples of projects include exploring relationships between different characteristics of children and adults with Fragile X syndrome, helping with activities for disease-targeted treatment programs for Rett Syndrome or Niemann-Pick Disease Type C, or assisting with infusions or the collection of data for a presentation, paper or FDA submissions. Additionally, students will be able to meet with and learn about the families being cared for at Rush and assist with procedures based on personal interests. This observership will expose students to a range of studies to improve the symptoms of individuals with genetic disabilities. 

This is a 6 to 8-week summer program with flexibility depending on the student’s schedule. The program will begin in June and conclude in early August. 

Support: A $5,000 stipend will be awarded to each scholar. Students will be responsible for securing their own accommodations during the duration of the program.

Eligibility and Criteria: This program is open to rising juniors and seniors who have interest in neuroscience, neurodevelopmental disorders, neurogenetic disorders, or rare diseases. Applicants should have demonstrated academic dedication and be interested in gaining exposure to a variety of diseases and therapies as they consider a career in a medical, clinical or biological sciences related field. Preference will be given to students who have previously engaged in rare disease initiatives at the University of Notre Dame.

Required materials:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Transcript
• Personal Statement (past research experience, career goals, and interest in this opportunity)

Applications need to be submitted a minimum of 2 weeks in advance of the first day of travel. 

Application materials need to be submitted:

• Abstract of your research presentation
• Signed Domestic or International Wavier 
• Transcript
• Recommendation letter
• Confirmation from Conference or Meeting stating your abstract has been accepted
• Statement of purpose
• Budget 

The Glynn Family Honors Program supports a variety of undergraduate research projects and training opportunities. Students are eligible to receive up to $6,000 in research grants over the course of their study and up to $5,500 in summer language study support. Glynn prioritizes projects relating to senior thesis research. Students may also apply for funds to jumpstart preliminary research, acquire foreign language skills, and receive training that they cannot obtain at Notre Dame. If a student has questions about whether their project idea qualifies for Glynn funding, please contact the Glynn team before submitting a proposal.

You may find more information regarding proposal requirements and funding information on our website.

The College of Science Internal Grant Program is for the University of Notre Dame faculty only. If you are a student filling out this application, your application will be denied. 

Goals

In order to promote undergraduate research and create more opportunities for undergraduate students, the College of Science is initiating an internal program to provide faculty with seed funding (in the range of two to five thousand of dollars per year) for projects with significant undergraduate student involvement. These projects must provide undergraduate students with research opportunities not available elsewhere on campus, and should ideally be original research that could lead to publications.

Eligibility

All regular faculty in the College of Science are eligible to apply for this program. Priority will be given to faculty who have limited opportunities to apply for external funding.

Deadlines

The applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Grant Period

Grants will be given for a maximum period of two-years starting from the time of the award. Renewal of the grant for another two-year period may be approved with satisfactory progress and/or growth of the project.

Proposal Format and Requirements:

Abstract (half-page maximum)

Project description (two-page maximum)

• The objective of the project,
• Background, previous work, and motivation as appropriate,
• The project approach and methods,
• The anticipated outcome and schedule for the project,
• An explanation of how undergraduate students will be involved in the work, including the number of students and expected hours / week for each student.

References (one-page maximum)

Table with undergraduates mentored over the last five years (list publications co-authored by the undergraduates, and where the undergrads are now).

Undergraduate mentoring plan (one-page maximum)

• Please include previous experience mentoring undergraduate students, and
• Publications with undergraduate students, if any.

Proposed Budget

• Itemized budget for reagents and supplies
• This program may not be used for: equipment, travel expenses, salaries, or stipends, as there are other programs which can aid with these expenses.