There are many opportunities for School of Public Health students to gain research experience during their time at the University of Maryland. You may seek out a faculty mentor in the School of Public Health or another part of the university, or you may explore the research training opportunities below.
School of Public Health Research Training Programs and Opportunities
UMD Global STEWARDS
The UMD Global STEWARDS graduate training fellowship, funded by the National Science Foundation Research Traineeship program, is preparing future leaders focused on innovations at the nexus of food, energy and water systems. Fellowships are open to currently enrolled or accepted PhD students at the University of Maryland.
Travel research opportunities for graduate students (graduate or doctoral) to Belize are available. Student researchers will help conduct research on opportunities and perceptions of older people to do volunteer work in their communities and work with faculty and students at the University of Belize, starting as soon as this term and travel over winter semester. If interested, contact Dr. Dina Borzekowski.
University-wide Research Training Programs
Maryland Student Researchers Program
A database of select on-campus research opportunities for undergraduates which introduces students to scholarly research working under the direction of a faculty mentor.
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
The McNair program prepares students from low-income, first generation and traditionally underrepresented groups to pursue doctoral studies. Full-time university juniors and seniors who wish to enhance their skills to prepare for graduate study and participate in undergraduate research with faculty members are eligible.
Ways to Find a Mentor
Search faculty expertise or browse through descriptions of each faculty member's research to identify several potential mentors who are doing research that matches your own intellectual interests and career goals.
Ask around
- Your current and past professors may be accepting students or know of any colleagues who are
- Your academic advisor might know of mentors who would be a good match for your interests
Contact potential mentors
Email is usually best, but stopping by their labs or offices is also okay to determine whether they are looking for students to join their research program. In your first contact with potential faculty mentors, you should tell them:
- Your year (e.g., sophomore)
- Your GPA
- Any relevant research or laboratory experience you already have
- Your general research interests or goals
Meet and greet
Plan to meet with each potential faculty mentor in person, tour their lab or discuss their research aims and speak to other students in their research group (both graduate and undergraduate) before making a final decision.
After you have decided upon which research opportunity is best for you, it’s a good idea make an explicit agreement with your mentor that specifies
- How much time you will spend in the lab
- The days and hours you will work
- Your responsibilities
Explore opportunities for academic credit
If you wish to receive academic credit for your work, you should then contact your advisor or the undergraduate program director in the department to which your faculty mentor belongs. Each faculty member has a specific course and section number for undergraduate research, and each department has its own procedures for registering for credit.
The School of Public Health Research Committee has representation from all departments and many research centers. You may contact these people to express interest in research opportunities and explore options.
- Behavioral and Community Health - Dr. Kirsten Stoebenau
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics - Dr. Quynh Nguyen
- Family Science - Dr. Marie Elizabeth Thoma
- Health Policy and Management and Center for Health Equity - Dr. Stephen B. Thomas
- Kinesiology - Dr. Carson Smith
- Applied Environmental Health - Dr. Amir Sapkota
- Center for Health Literacy - Dr. Cynthia E Baur
- Prevention Research Center - Dr. Bradley O. Boekeloo
UCC@ SPH is dedicated to helping SPH students at every stage of their career development. Students have access to one-on-one assistance, career development workshops, career & internship fairs, information sessions, networking sessions, site visits and more.
Schedule an appointment through Careers4Terps.