MCW Center for Advancing Population Science (CAPS) Education Opportunities
MCW Educational Programs
The purpose of AIM is to provide carefully selected high school students from diverse backgrounds with a meaningful experience to stimulate their interest in careers in medicine, biomedical research and allied health.
Dr. Elaine Kohler, a MCW alumnus (Pediatrics Fellowship 1968) and former Associate Professor of Pediatrics (1968-1981) is remembered by her medical colleagues and within the community she served with deep respect for her advocacy in the fields of diabetes, obesity, heavy metal toxicity and mental health. This scholarship fund is for the summer global health research program for medical students who seek to recognize Dr. Kohler’s legacy long after her untimely death in 1981. The fund pays tribute to her life’s local and global health work by providing support for those projects and individuals who carry on her selfless commitment to helping others.
The Dr. Elaine Kohler Summer Academy of Global Health Research encourages talented rising M2's to enter the research field during a 10-week hands-on experience. Students spend five weeks addressing global health disparities locally in Milwaukee and then five weeks internationally. This experience allows students the opportunity to collaborate with faculty to address global health issues such as water, injury prevention, and human molecular genetics. Students will be paired with a faculty member and their global and local partners.
Kohler Students & Projects
Daniel Hanna – Correlates of Hypertension in the Indigenous Kuna Indian Population of Panamá
Mentoring Team: Rebekah J. Walker, PhD; Jennifer A. Campbell, MPH; Aprill Z. Dawson, MPH; Leonard E. Egede, MD, MS
Allison Neitzel – Dietary Intake in the Indigenous Kuna Indian Population of Panamá
Mentoring Team: Rebekah J. Walker, PhD; Jennifer A. Campbell, MPH; Aprill Z. Dawson, MPH; Leonard E. Egede, MD, MS
About
- The Advancing Research in Community Health Equity (ARCHE) Program within the Center for Advancing Population Science (CAPS) is a team of four faculty (Dr. Joni S. Williams, MD, MPH; Dr. Aprill Dawson, PhD, MPH; Dr. Mukoso Ozieh, MD, MSCR; Laura Hawks, MD, MPH) who conduct community-based research to improve chronic disease health outcomes in marginalized population. As mentors, we provide a group mentoring approach, but SPUR students will have Dr. Hawks as their primary mentor assigned to oversee their project.
Summer Program for Undergraduate Research Program Page
Project Components:
1) Experiential Learning
- Students will work alongside CAPS Program Assistants on active studies taking place in Milwaukee. In addition to research tasks, students will have the opportunity to attend other experiential learning activities such as guest lectures, community events, etc.
2) Final Project
- All students are required to complete a research project that aligns with CAPS research areas, creating either a scientific poster or PowerPoint to present for the CAPS faculty at the end of the program (manuscript/paper can come from this project).
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Notable Alumni
Amanda Babcock- SPUR 2025
Arizona State University ‘25
Mentors: Dr. Joni Williams and Dr. Laura Hawks
Courtney Griffin- SPUR 2024
Howard University ‘24
Mentor: Dr. Aprill Dawson
Title: A Cross-National Examination of the Differential Association between Perceived Discrimination and Dementia amongst Older Adults Around the World
About SAMS/MSSRP
- The MCW Medical Student and Summer Research Programs are collectively referred to as the “Summer Academic programs for Medical Students” or SAMS for short. Medical Student Summer Research Program (MSSRP) is a merit-based 8- or 10-week research program for medical students. Students are expected to commit to working full-time, 40 hours per week, for the entire duration of the program. The CAPS project for SAMS/MSSRP is a continuation of the CAPS Pathways Medical Student Program.
- Students who choose to complete SAMS/MSSRP with CAPS will be students who are receiving mentorship guidance from CAPS faculty for their scholarly concentrations/project.
Summer Academic Programs for Medical Students (SAMS) Program Page
Important dates
- Intent to Apply is due by December 20th at 11:59pm
- MSSRP Completed Application due February 15th at 11:59pm
- Please note: If the due date falls on a weekend, the deadline will be the next business day (Monday) at 11:59pm
- Funding decisions will be announced by April 15th
- SAMS/MSSRP Program Start Date begins on the Wednesday following Memorial Day