A program to support diverse students in environmental health sciences
KEEP: Kentucky Environmental Education Pipeline, A program to retain a diverse and equitable scientific trainee pipeline
The KEEP program at the University of Louisville is a summer opportunity for undergraduate students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to get paid while doing hands-on research in environmental health, receiving mentorship, and building their confidence as future scientists.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11039990 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The KEEP program at the University of Louisville offers a paid summer research experience focused on environmental health for undergraduate students, particularly those from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This immersive program aims to reduce dropout rates in STEM fields by providing mentorship, career counseling, and community engagement opportunities. Participants will engage in hands-on research, learn biostatistics, and present their findings at various academic events. The program seeks to foster a supportive environment that helps students develop their identities as scientists.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this program are undergraduate students from underrepresented and economically disadvantaged backgrounds who are interested in environmental health sciences.
Not a fit: Students who are not pursuing a degree in STEM fields or who do not meet the criteria for underrepresented or economically disadvantaged backgrounds may not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve retention rates of underrepresented students in STEM fields, leading to a more diverse scientific workforce.
How similar studies have performed: Similar programs aimed at supporting underrepresented students in STEM have shown success in improving retention and graduation rates.
Where this research is happening
Louisville, United States
- University of Louisville — Louisville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Neal, Rachel Elizabeth — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Neal, Rachel Elizabeth
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.