Seaver Undergraduate Research Scholars
Training Program in Autism Research for Students from Under-represented Groups in Science and Medicine
Excellence and innovation in scientific research and education cannot be achieved without diversity, equity, and inclusion. At the Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment (https://icahn.mssm.edu/research/seaver) we are committed to eliminating barriers and increasing access to education and careers among students from groups under-represented in science and medicine (URiSM) and/or economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Targeting these efforts toward trainees early in their career development will promote feasibility of entrance and encourage retention in science and medicine.
We are launching an exciting new Seaver Scholars program to support the training and mentoring of 14 outstanding undergraduate students from URiSM and/or economically disadvantaged backgrounds in the 2022 calendar year. These students will be matched with a Seaver faculty mentor and hosted in their lab, where they will conduct innovative research aiming to better understand autism and develop new treatments. Given the inter-disciplinary and translational approach of the Seaver Autism Center, the trainees will have the opportunity to choose among a variety of disciplines, including genomics, stem cell biology, neuroscience, epidemiology, psychology, and clinical research. Through this program, Scholars will have a unique opportunity to gain diverse skills, build confidence in interacting with scientific mentors, and boost their competitiveness when applying for subsequent academic positions.
We aim to support a total of 14 Seaver Scholars by providing them with competitive stipends that allow them to choose research even if finances are tight – ten undergraduate students during the 2022 spring and fall semesters ($2,000/student, total $20,000) and four undergraduate students during summer 2022 ($3,200/student, total $12,800). Seaver faculty will donate their time to support these students, as well as contribute funds to ensure meaningful, innovative scientific projects for Scholars. Any additional funds raised will support additional scientific costs for this class of Seaver Scholars (e.g., attendance at scientific conferences) and/or contribute to a sustainable base for future classes of scholars.
You may sponsor a student or contribute any amount to help us reach our goal. Please, help us train the next class of scientific leaders in autism research and welcome much-needed diversity to our scientific ranks!
Host labs:
Breen lab (https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/breenlab/)
Buxbaum lab (https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/buxbaum-lab/)
De Rubeis lab (https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/derubeislab/)
Foss-Feig lab (https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/foss-feig-lab/)
Grice lab (https://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/dorothy-grice)
Harony-Nicolas lab (https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/harony-nicolaslab/)
Huckins lab (https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/huckinslab/)
Janecka lab (https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/janeckalab/)
Kolevzon lab (https://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/alexander-kolevzon)
Kostic lab (https://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/ana-kostic)
Lalli lab (https://icahn.mssm.edu/profiles/matthew-lalli)
Mahjani lab
Reichenberg lab (https://www.mountsinai.org/profiles/avraham-reichenberg)
Siper lab (https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/siperlab/)
Velthorst lab (https://labs.icahn.mssm.edu/velthorstlab/)
Yang lab (http://labs.neuroscience.mssm.edu/project/yang-lab/)
