The Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience at Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech The Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience Creating Opportunities for the Future

IBB and AUC Partnership

Students in the lab

IBB in partnership with the Atlanta University Center (AUC) works to ensure that underrepresented minority students from other Atlanta area universities have access to high quality research opportunities in IBB’s state of the art research laboratories.

The goal of this program is to provide funding or research opportunities in an interdisciplinary research environment. Students who are awarded an IBB Research Award can spend anywhere from one to several semesters conducting research in a laboratories.

The IBB-AUC partnership began its fifth year in January 2008, and its impact on the participation of underrepresented minorities (URM) in GTEC’s research and education programs has been undeniable. At the close of its fourth year, the partnership had sponsored a total of twenty-eight undergraduates from AUC colleges (Morehouse College, Spelman College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Clark Atlanta University), hosted three AUC faculty as visiting faculty at Georgia Tech and funded five new seed grant-level or larger research projects with AUC faculty. The AUC partnership and increased focus on diversity issues has also led to increased financial support from industry to support undergraduate research initiatives.

IBB-AUC Research Award Program

The IBB-AUC Scholars program offers experiences offer students many benefits. Research is an important component of transfer or graduate school applications. Taking advantage of research opportunities allows students to find out whether research is an appropriate career path and to develop important networking contacts. In addition to the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research, participants will receive the following benefits while participating in the IBB-AUC program:

Stipend

$1,900 for fall or spring; $4,000 for summer

Program Expectations

  • A minimum of 12-15 hours/week in the lab during the fall and spring semesters and full time (40 hours/week) in the summer. (Actual working hours are negotiated between the student and her/his mentor.)
  • Active participation in identified research project as well as daily laboratory activities.
  • Attend seminars, workshops and professional development activities.
  • Presentation of research as the opportunity arises.

Program Requirements

  • U.S. citizens or permanent residents
  • Minimum of a 3.0 GPA
  • Be currently enrolled undergraduate student at: Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University or Morehouse School of Medicine.

Application procedure

  1. Please write a brief personal statement (2 pages) explaining why you are applying for this program. Please indicate:
    • what interests you about this program
    • what you hope to gain from this experience
    • special contributions you can make to our program
    • your future career plans after college, specifying whether graduate school, medical school, or industry
  2. Submit two letters of recommendation
  3. Provide the above required documents and an official transcript to:
    • Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience
      Attn: Colly Mitchell
      Georgia Institute of Technology
      315 Ferst Dr.
      Atlanta, GA 30332-0363

Selection Criteria

Participants are chosen for the program on the basis of the "fit" of the applicant's research interests and professional goals. Selection criteria include:

  • Research interests
  • Academic record
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Personal statement

IBB-AUC Research Award Application Deadlines:

October 1, 2008

For more information, contact: education@ibb.gatech.edu