NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Training underrepresented minority students in virology

Official title: Enhancing Virology Training of Underrepresented Minority Students through Summer Research

Funded at Meharry Medical College · NIH-10909990 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is all about giving underrepresented minority students a chance to gain hands-on experience in virology research during the summer at Meharry Medical College, helping them find mentors and role models as they explore careers in this important field, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMeharry Medical College
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Nashville, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2021
Project endJuly 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$350,995
NIH project number5R25AI164610-04
Project IDNIH-10909990 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for participation are underrepresented minority students interested in pursuing careers in virology and biomedical research.

Less likely to help

Patients who are not students or do not belong to underrepresented minority groups may not receive direct benefits from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on enhancing the training of underrepresented minority students in the field of virology, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to provide summer research opportunities at Meharry Medical College, a leader in training diverse students in biomedical research. The program emphasizes mentorship and role modeling, helping students from minority backgrounds to pursue careers in virology and related fields. By fostering a diverse workforce, the research seeks to address health disparities and improve outcomes for minority populations affected by viral diseases.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more diverse and effective workforce in virology, ultimately improving health outcomes for minority populations.

How similar studies have gone: Other initiatives aimed at diversifying the biomedical workforce have shown success in improving representation and addressing health disparities, making this approach promising.

Where this research is happening

  • Meharry Medical College
    Nashville, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Dash, Chandravanu — Meharry Medical College
  • Study coordinator: Dash, Chandravanu

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.