Research Opportunities
This program provides professional students currently enrolled in the PharmD program with an opportunity to undertake an intensive, introductory research experience with faculty in the College of Pharmacy. These summer research experiences comprise 40 hours per week in a laboratory for a 10-week period (undertaken from late May through early August). Fellowships ($4000) are awarded to successful applicants. The summer experience can serve as a formal student rotation if the student enters the PharmD/PhD pathway in any of the departments within the college.
The program is available for students who have successfully completed their P1 year in the PharmD professional program and entered with a Bachelor’s degree. Applications are due in February of the P1 year and successful applicants to this competitive program are notified in late March or early April. In addition to a Curriculum Vitae and undergraduate/PharmD transcripts, applicants are required to submit an essay explaining why they want to participate in the program, what they hope to gain, their career goals, how the summer research would apply to those goals. From familiarity gained from courses or other resources, applicants are also asked to indicate their preference of intended research areas and college mentors. An orientation meeting is held in late May to provide the selected fellows with the program expectations, and deliverables from the fellowship. Individual programs of study are at the discretion of the faculty mentor. At the end of the summer (usually in the first few weeks of the Fall Semester) the fellows present their research findings in a College-wide symposium.
Electronic applications for the P-SURF program can be submitted from January - February 14th, 2025.
Purpose
To provide P1 professional students currently enrolled in the PharmD program with an intensive, introductory research experience with faculty in the College of Pharmacy. These summer research experiences can serve as formal student rotations if the student successfully enters the PharmD/PhD pathway in any of the departments within the college.
Who is eligible
Students who have successfully completed their P1 year in the PharmD professional program and entered with a Bachelor’s degree. Students interested in the combined Pharm.D./Ph.D. pathway are required to apply if they cannot document significant formal and relevant research experience. Students may only be accepted to the program once.
How to apply
Applicants will provide the following: 1) updated Curriculum Vitae; 2) undergraduate/PharmD transcripts 3) an essay explaining why they want to participate in the program, what they hope to gain, their career goals, how the summer research would apply to those goals including intended research areas and up to 3 College mentors. Applications will be due in mid-February annually and reviewed by the College of Pharmacy Research and Graduate Committee. Awardees will be notified by the Executive Associate Dean for Professional Education in late March or early April.
Stipend
The stipend for each student for working 40 hours per week in the lab for a 10-week period (late May through early August) will be $4000. Opportunities will exist in all of the College departments, and students may identify possible mentors through a CoP research rotation booklet. A $500 supplies stipend will be provided from the CoP Executive Associate Dean for Professional Education to the faculty mentors to offset research expenses.
Program
An Orientation meeting will be held in mid-summer to discuss their research projects. Mandatory participation in a College-wide symposium at the end of the summer (usually early in the Fall Semester) requires that fellowship students will present their findings in formal poster format.
The program of study will be at the discretion of the faculty Mentor. Mentoring meetings will be held at least every other week during the summer to discuss the various graduate programs, other College faculty research opportunities, career development, and to build camaraderie. Students should interact socially with visiting Juan Diego summer high school students and Pharm/Tox ASPET SURF fellows with an occasional pizza lunch, hike, etc.
Statement of Purpose
Your Statement of Purpose should include the following:
1. Explain why you want to participate in this program;
2. What you hope to gain from this program;
3. Your career goals, including intended research areas;
4. How the P-SURF program will help you reach these goals; and
5. A list of up to three College of Pharmacy Mentors.
Questions? Contact Shawna Webster at Shawna.Webster@pharm.utah.edu
The Prize Name: Established in memory of John and Bertha Wolf who, in the tradition of many poor, immigrant families, valued education highly and ensured that their children would have access to it.
Prize Purpose: To recognize and reward excellence in teaching, research and service by a graduating Ph.D. student in any Department at the College of Pharmacy who demonstrated interest in pursuing an academic career.
Prize Details: The Wolf Prize consists of a $5,000 award and engraved plaque, presented at the annual College Convocation ceremony. The candidate must be present at the convocation to receive the award. The name of the recipient will also be engraved on a permanent plaque displayed in the College.
Application Process: Nomination packet will be developed by the candidate and coordinated through the Department. The packet should include:
- A personal statement outlining the candidate's accomplishments in teaching, research and service with a commitment to an acadmic career. Candidates who do not have a commitment to an academic career will not be considered.
- Two letters of recommendation, one from the student's mentor and an additional letter from a faculty member in the College; and
- Evaluations of teaching commitment and effectiveness (e.g., student and/or faculty evaluations of teaching; completion of CTLE HETS program). A faculty committee that makes a formal recommendation to the Dean will evaluate applications.
For additional information, please discuss with your department chair.