Encouraging diverse students to pursue careers in microbiology and immunology
Official title: Supporting Under-Represented Minorities in Microbiology and Immunology Research (SUMMIR)
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10848741 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program is designed to encourage under-represented minority students to discover exciting careers in microbiology and immunology through a hands-on summer internship that lasts ten weeks, helping them build skills and interest in these important fields.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $367,474 |
| NIH project number | 1R25AI181751-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10848741 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are under-represented minority students interested in pursuing careers in microbiology and immunology.
✕Less likely to help
Students who are not from under-represented minority backgrounds may not receive direct benefits from this program.
What this research studies
This program aims to inspire under-represented minority students to explore careers in microbiology and immunology through a ten-week summer internship. Participants will engage in experiential learning that provides a comprehensive view of the fields, supported by resources from multiple professional schools and research institutions. The program focuses on creating an educational pipeline that nurtures interest and skills in microbiology and immunology from middle school through post-graduate education. By fostering diversity in these critical fields, the initiative seeks to address public health challenges with innovative solutions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more diverse workforce in microbiology and immunology, enhancing innovation and public health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Similar initiatives have shown success in increasing diversity in STEM fields, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hassel, Bret a — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Hassel, Bret a
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.