The Summer Scholars program offers research opportunities for students interested in health disparities topics. The scholars will pursue research projects designed to improve the well-being of minority populations supported by a paid, eight-week internship.
“El Centro was established to develop cutting-edge research leading to innovative intervention therapies that will impact the health of minority groups,” said Nilda Peragallo, DrPH, RN, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Studies. “We are pleased to provide research training to the next generation of professionals dedicated to reducing health disparities among minorities.”
Three outstanding individuals at various stages in their education were chosen to take part in the program from schools and colleges throughout the University of Miami: Tainayah Thomas, a graduating senior in the College of Arts and Sciences with a double major in International Studies and Sociology; Emory Graham, a student in the Family Nurse Practitioner masters’s program at the School of Nursing and Health Studies; and Patrick Williams, an accomplished high school teacher and a doctoral student in the School of Education’s Teaching and Learning Program.
“The project for each scholar has been tailored to the individual’s interests and level of experience,” said Professor Victoria Mitrani, PhD. “The El Centro research team is dedicated to mentoring emerging scientists and encouraging young people to pursue careers in health disparities research,” said Mitrani.
Thomas, who has wide-ranging interests in health disparities, will assist with several El Centro studies as a way of learning the “nuts and bolts” of research. Graham, a graduate nursing student with an interest in maternal health, will conduct a retrospective chart review in one of El Centro’s pilot studies, a Structural Ecosystem Therapy-Prenatal project aimed at improving medical adherence among pregnant HIV positive women. Williams will help to develop HIV and substance abuse prevention materials and advise El Centro researchers on how to deliver these materials to adolescents in order to maximize their impact.
The scholars will spend the better part of each weekday participating directly in their research project activity. At the end of the internship, the students are required to present a project report.
El Centro was created for the purpose of advancing the scientific development and evaluation of culturally-specific interventions in a constellation of health conditions that disproportionately affect Hispanics. Its establishment will enable researchers to strengthen partnerships with the Miller School of Medicine and community organizations through multiyear studies targeting substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, family and intimate partner violence and co-occurring mental health conditions.
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UM Home > University Communications > University of Miami El Centro Announces First Class of Summer Scholars
University of Miami El Centro Announces First Class of Summer Scholars
May 21, 2008
University of Miami El Centro Announces First Class of Summer Scholars
El Centro, the University of Miami Center of Excellence for Hispanic Health Disparities Research at the School of Nursing and Health Studies, Inaugurates its Summer Scholars Program
Coral Gables, FL – El Centro, at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, is proud to announce its first class of Summer Scholars.
The Summer Scholars program offers research opportunities for students interested in health disparities topics. The scholars will pursue research projects designed to improve the well-being of minority populations supported by a paid, eight-week internship.
“El Centro was established to develop cutting-edge research leading to innovative intervention therapies that will impact the health of minority groups,” said Nilda Peragallo, DrPH, RN, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Studies. “We are pleased to provide research training to the next generation of professionals dedicated to reducing health disparities among minorities.”
Three outstanding individuals at various stages in their education were chosen to take part in the program from schools and colleges throughout the University of Miami: Tainayah Thomas, a graduating senior in the College of Arts and Sciences with a double major in International Studies and Sociology; Emory Graham, a student in the Family Nurse Practitioner masters’s program at the School of Nursing and Health Studies; and Patrick Williams, an accomplished high school teacher and a doctoral student in the School of Education’s Teaching and Learning Program.
“The project for each scholar has been tailored to the individual’s interests and level of experience,” said Professor Victoria Mitrani, PhD. “The El Centro research team is dedicated to mentoring emerging scientists and encouraging young people to pursue careers in health disparities research,” said Mitrani.
Thomas, who has wide-ranging interests in health disparities, will assist with several El Centro studies as a way of learning the “nuts and bolts” of research. Graham, a graduate nursing student with an interest in maternal health, will conduct a retrospective chart review in one of El Centro’s pilot studies, a Structural Ecosystem Therapy-Prenatal project aimed at improving medical adherence among pregnant HIV positive women. Williams will help to develop HIV and substance abuse prevention materials and advise El Centro researchers on how to deliver these materials to adolescents in order to maximize their impact.
The scholars will spend the better part of each weekday participating directly in their research project activity. At the end of the internship, the students are required to present a project report.
El Centro was created for the purpose of advancing the scientific development and evaluation of culturally-specific interventions in a constellation of health conditions that disproportionately affect Hispanics. Its establishment will enable researchers to strengthen partnerships with the Miller School of Medicine and community organizations through multiyear studies targeting substance abuse, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases, family and intimate partner violence and co-occurring mental health conditions.
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About the School of Nursing and Health Studies
Established in 1948 as South Florida’s first collegiate nursing program, the School of Nursing and Health Studies at the University of Miami has a distinguished tradition of preparing nurses to provide compassionate, quality care to local, national and international communities. Nursing students at the undergraduate and graduate levels are educated by renowned scholars and exposed to a broad range of clinical experiences and cutting-edge research. In February 2005, the School expanded its program offerings to include the University of Miami’s Health Science program and changed its name to the School of Nursing and Health Studies. The expanded curriculum includes programs leading to the BSN, MSN, and PhD degrees as well as the BS in Health Science degree.
