Program Overview
The VA Summer Scholars Program in Infectious Diseases (ID) provides summer research and educational opportunities to undergraduates and medical students who are underrepresented in medicine. Scholars within the program are provided a six-week, funded research and educational experience in Antimicrobial Stewardship at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center.
Eligibility
- Undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, or medical students able to commit to 6-weeks of summer research
- U.S. Citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply
- Have an interest in Infectious Diseases
- This program uses the NIAID definition of Underrepresented Minority (URM)
Application Timeline
| Date |
Item |
| February 28th, 2022 |
Applications due |
| March 7th, 2022 |
Decision letters sent to applicants |
| March 14th, 2022 |
Decisions from applicants due |
| March to June, 2022 |
Onboarding at the VA (must complete full employee onboarding process including physical exam, blood work, drug test, background check with fingerprinting) |
| June 21st, 2022 |
Program start date |
| July 30th, 2022 |
Program end date |
As a VA Summer Scholar, you will have access to:
- Mentored research with a Faculty Member within the Penn ID Division
- Educational conferences in clinical and basic science departments on campus
- Direct interaction with senior ID trainees and faculty for career mentorship
- Targeted clinical experiences ranging from inpatient consult service time to outpatient clinic shadowing. Specific opportunities can be arrange based on scholar's interested, e.g. working with hospital epidemiologists/infection control
- Stipend for living expenses
Leadership
Valerianna K. Amorosa, MD
Medical Director for Penn Home Infusion Therapy (PHIT)
Professor of Clinical Medicine