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Pipeline for underRepresented Students in Medicine (PRISM)

The McManus Lab at UMass Chan Medical School (UMass Chan) is pleased to announce the Pipeline for underRepresented Students in Medicine (PRISM) program. PRISM introduces undergraduate and post-graduate students from diverse backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in medicine to clinical research and healthcare opportunities.

The program is a structured, non-credit, clinical research opportunity sponsored by Dr. David McManus and the Department of Medicine at UMass Chan. This pipeline program hopes to engage participants in state-of-the-art clinical research programs.

The fully-funded program requires a commitment of at least one year of employment postgraduation but can accommodate summer and shadowing experiences, too. 

Due to logistical and COVID-19 restrictions, participants who prefer to pursue summer opportunities in the lab will be limited to remote shadowing and low-impact exposure to clinical research. There is an opportunity available for summer interns to transition to full-time McManus Lab employees upon graduation from college.

Program Goals

  • The program is designed to provide students with in-depth exposure to clinical research methods.
  • To address the current underrepresentation of minorities in medicine and healthcare professions.
  • Selected participants will receive mentoring, guidance, advice, and connections with Principal Investigators (PI), physicians, and researchers at UMass Chan.
  • Participants are eligible to receive a letter of recommendation from PI upon successful completion of the program.
  • Participants will be exposed to and gain patient interaction experience.
  • Participants may be assigned to clinical research projects based on interest and be immersed in cutting-edge clinical research opportunities. 

Eligibility CriteriaWorcester Consortium Photo.png

  • Must be a member of historically underrepresented groups in medicine.
    • e.g., Blacks, Mexican Americans, Native Americans (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians), and of Hispanic origin.
  • Must be interested in careers in medicine/healthcare.
  • Must commit a minimum of one year to work in the lab.
  • Must be an undergrad/alumnus of a Worcester Consortium School.
    • Participating Worcester Consortium Schools

Selection Criteria

  • Application is open to every minority senior/alumnus of the undergraduate Worcester Consortium Schools
  • The Program is available to two participants per term (depending on the turnover rate)
  • Screening Process

Important Dates

Applications open December 15, 2022 through March 31, 2023
Interviews will be held April 2023
Notification of decision by May 2023