Information for Mentors (MIT Faculty)
A chief objective of the Amgen-UROP Scholars Program is to foster
student passion for science and biotechnology by engaging
them in first-rate research experiences in MIT laboratories.
Faculty conducting research in the following areas are invited to participate as mentors to Amgen Scholars: biochemistry; bioengineering; bioinformatics; chemical and bimolecular engineering; biopsychology; biotechnology; chemistry; immunology; medical pharmacology; molecular medicine; molecular pharmacology; molecular, cell, and developmental biology; neurobiology; neuroscience; pathology; physiological psychology; physiological science; statistics; and toxicology.
Amgen Scholars will be selected from among undergraduate applicants
hailing from colleges and universities from around the U.S.
and its territories, as well as MIT. Students placed
into MIT laboratories will conduct research on a full-time
basis (40 hours weekly) for the duration of the program, June 10
through August 8, 2008.
Faculty and laboratories hosting Amgen Scholars during the
summer of 2008 will not be asked to provide any type of financial
support to these students. All student expenses will
be covered by a grant from the Amgen Foundation.
Role of Faculty Mentors
MIT faculty will invite Amgen Scholars into their research
groups, engage them in challenging projects, and provide mentorship,
research guidance, and supervision. Guidance will also
come from others associated with the laboratory, including
research scientists and post-doctoral associates.
While it is understood that in many research groups daily
supervision of undergraduate researchers is provided by other
lab members, faculty accepting Amgen Scholars into their areas
are expected to engage with the Amgen Scholars and are expected
to provide feedback on their performance. Amgen Scholars cannot
be placed with those faculty on sabbatical or those who intend
to be away from campus for a significant portion of the June
10-August 8 period.
Faculty mentors will also play a role in educational activities
designed to complement the full-time research of program participants.
For instance, mentoring faculty may be invited to present
on relevant research topics and critical professional issues
at lunchtime seminars scheduled for June and July. Mentors
will also be invited to take part in other educational and
community-building events, including a poster session and
reception scheduled for the end of the program.
Selection and Placement of Amgen Scholars
All student applications received by the February 1, 2008
deadline will first be reviewed by a committee formed specifically
for the Amgen-UROP Scholars Program.
Applications approved by that committee will be delivered for final review to potential faculty mentors in the area of student research interest. Once faculty mentor decisions are made, students will be notified on whether or not they have a laboratory placement within the Program.
Faculty interested in mentoring Amgen Scholars are asked
to give non-MIT applicants equal consideration for placement
into their research groups. Through its funding, the
Amgen Foundation wants students from a wide variety of academic
communities to have the opportunity to work with some of the
nation’s top academic scientists, including students
attending institutions without formal undergraduate research
programs.
Up to twenty-eight students will be selected for the 2008 program.
Approximately half of the admitted undergraduates will be from MIT, and
half from other U.S. institutions. Scholar selection
will be made by the last week of February, 2007.
If you are a member of the MIT faculty and are interested in placing an Amgen Scholar in your research group, please contact Michael Bergren, Associate Dean, at mberg@mit.edu, or x3-8801.
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