Dear Colleagues,
I am writing to request your assistance in identifying and referring
individuals to the Four Directions Summer Research Program (FDSRP) at
Harvard Medical School. FDSRP was initiated by Native American medical
school students in 1993 and is fully funded. This program provides access
to full time research for Native Americans interested in the field of
medicine or biomedical research. Applications must be postmarked by March
14, 1999.
To assist you in recruiting, I have included an application (see below)
and attached an application as a Word 98 document. Please forward this
application to individuals who might be interested in the program. Your
cooperation in this effort is greatly appreciated. If you have any
questions regarding FDSRP, please contact Rob Picard at 800-367-9019.
Sincerely,
Eileen Egan
Coordinator of Recruitment and Student Affairs
Harvard University Native American Program
eileen_egan [at] harvard.edu
Native American Health Organization/
Four Directions Summer Research Program at
Harvard Medical School
What follows is a description of and application for the program.
The Native American Health Organization/Four Directions Summer Research
Program is seeking applicants for the summer 1999 program. This is an
opportunity for undergraduate/graduate Native Americans interested in
medicine or biomedical research to conduct full-time research at Harvard
Medical School (HMS).
Participants will perform research with investigators whose interests
range from neurobiology and neuropathology to cell biology and molecular
genetics. No previous research experience or science background is
required. Researchers will provide all necessary equipment and training;
although a basic understanding of life sciences and chemistry is
recommended. In addition, the investigators will also serve as mentors for
the participants. Mentor selection is based not only on a desire to teach,
but also on the ability to express sensitivity to Native American issues
and ensure a positive experience for each participant.
Additionally, the participants have the option to attend outpatient
clinical sessions with physicians, observe surgery, work with pathologists
spend a shift in the emergency ward, attend seminars and meet Native
American medical students. The participants will also have free time to
explore Boston.
At the core of the program are the close relationships fostered among
Native American medical students at HMS. with the participants: future
healers within our urban and rural communities. The participants are
encouraged to make the most of the 8 weeks by developing ties with the
HMS. Native medical students. This close network allows the program to
approach the participants on a one-to-one basis to meet the unique needs of
Native Americans. This is a student-initiated program and is supported by
the HMS/Native American Health Organization, HMS/Division of Medical
Sciences, Harvard Native American Program, and individual researchers.
There are no fees for participants. Transportation and lodging will be
covered through HMS and National Institutes of Health grants.
Each participant will receive a stipend to supplement costs for food and
miscellaneous expenditures. The tentative program dates are 25 June
through 21 August, 1999.
Selection criteria for this program are not so dependent on high grades
and test scores, but are instead focused on a student's motivation,
maturity, and willingness to succeed in a given environment. We especially
encourage motivated students from rural state colleges, tribal colleges,
and community colleges to apply. Last year's participants came from a
broad range of nations and attended a variety of schools including
University of New Mexico, Northeastern University in Talequah, OK, McGill
University in Montreal, University of Arizona, and Montana State
University. Some had prior research experience. Others had minimal
experience in basic chemistry labs. Adult American Indians with,
preferably, some college experience and a commitment to education are
encouraged to apply.
The NAHO/Four Directions Summer Research Program is an opportunity. It
is not a credit course, MCAT-prep course, or hyper-intense research
program. Unfortunately, the program's required activities do not allow
time to prepare for the August MCAT. Lastly, there are no grades, but
students will be informally evaluated at the program's end. The Program's
major principle is this: If given the chance, could a given participant be
motivated to pursue a career in medicine and/or medical research that would
benefit themselves and their Native community?
For questions write to:
Four Directions Summer Research Program
Harvard Medical School
Division of Medical Sciences/MEC 335
260 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
If you have any questions, please contact, please call or FAX Rob Pickard
at the HMS/Division of Medical Sciences- (800) 367-9019; FAX: (617)
432-2644.
If you have any questions about the program please email us or call us at
our homes during the hours of 10AM-10PM, EST. If you do not receive a call
back within 3 days, call again. Because we are students, emailing is
sometimes a better way to contact us.:
Ashleigh Guadagnolo 617-541-5890
bguadagn [at] student.med.harvard.edu
Walter Lech 617-388-8333
wlech [at] student.med.harvard.edu
Robert Ruelaz 617-522-9087
rruelaz [at] student.med.harvard.edu
Dan Calac
dcalac [at] student.med.harvard.edu
Tom Sequist
tsequist [at] student.med.harvard.edu
Native American Health Organization
Four Directions Summer Research Program
Harvard Medical School
Application
(You can use ink or typewriter) SS #: ___________________
Name: _______________________________________________
Mailing Address and Phone #: _____________________________
_____________________________
Permanent Address and Phone #: __________________________
__________________________
Date of Birth: ___________ Male/Female: _________
Nation/Tribe: __________________________________
Do You plan to take the Aug. 1999 MCAT ______________
US Citizen? (if not, then tell us your visa status, if applicable, and your
country of citizenship): ____________________________
Schools Attended:
School Dates of Attendance Degree
The following questions are your opportunity to tell us about yourself.
A long essay is not required. Instead, these questions should help us form
a better idea of who you are and where you are from. The information may
also be used to better match you with an appropriate mentor. Use
additional sheets of paper if necessary.
Tell us about yourself and your involvement within the Native
American community. We are interested in your goals, hobbies, or any
particular field of research that peaks your curiosity.Please tell us about your expectations/goals for yourself and from
this summer program? In what ways will this program benefit you/your
people?List only courses in sciences or math that you may have taken. Please
include biology or chemistry laboratories completed or in progress. Also
list any research experience you may have had previously. If none, then
that's fine--remember, prior research or science courses are not required.We would like the names and phone numbers of two people we may contact
as references, or you may send two letters of reference. Although either
or both are equally acceptable, letters sent with the application allow us
to more easily get a sense of you as a person. One person may be a
community elder or leader, or any person familiar with you, your activities
and your relationship within the community. The second reference should
be someone familiar with your academic performance: a former teacher,
tutor, principal, dean or school counselor/advisor.
Signature: _________________________ Date: _____________
Once you have completed this application, please send it to:
Four Directions Summer Research Program
Harvard Medical School
Division of Medical Sciences/MEC 335
260 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
Or FAX this application to:
Four Directions Summer Research Program,
HMS/Division of Medical Sciences
(617) 432-2644
Applications need to be postmarked by 14 March 1999
Mailed applications and supplemental materials must be received with the
above US Post Office postmark and within the office of Division of Medical
Sciences by March 28 to be considered complete. No Faxes received after 14
March 1999 will be considered Tentative Notification of Acceptance by
early April 1999
Applications become the property of the Native American Health Organization
upon receipt.
Please feel free to copy this application.