Deadline to apply for T35 Training Program

The NIH-funded T35 Research Traineeship Program is designed specifically for master’s and pre-dissertation doctoral students in physical and/or quantitative sciences from across South Carolina and the United States.  This is an 11-week, full-time intensive course-based training program to work alongside established clinical scientists on one or more Big Data Health-related studies. In addition to formal classroom training (at no cost to the student), each student will receive accommodations and a stipend to be involved in a specific research project, actively participating in a hands-on manner in a research laboratory currently conducting studies related to Big Data Health Science. As you prepare for a career in Big Data Science, you can learn about research that involves Big Data and work alongside well-known established researchers in a full-time, hands-on setting. For commonly asked questions, feel free to visit our Q&A page.

Program Overview:
The University of South Carolina Big Data Health Science Center is requesting applications from master’s and pre-dissertation doctoral students for a 3-month, full-time (40 hours per week) program to work alongside established clinical scientists on one or more Big Data Health-related studies. Each student trainee will be involved in a specific research project, actively participating in a hands-on manner in a research laboratory currently conducting studies related to Big Data Health Science.  Investigators, laboratories, and brief descriptions of areas of research are provided in the T35 mentor page.

Students will be matched with a mentor according to the students’ interests and mentor availability.  In addition, each trainee will receive formal classroom training (at no expense to the trainee), participate in discussions on responsible conduct in research, participate in a specifically designed T35 seminar series presented by many of the T35 preceptors, attend journal groups, attend campus-wide activities of interest as part of their training experience, and will have opportunities to present their work.

This is an excellent opportunity for students to obtain training and significant exposure to research in an active laboratory conducting research related to ongoing NIAID-funded Big Data research projects that utilize 1 or more of 5 large existing data sources.

Eligibility:
This program is for masters or pre-dissertation doctoral students  in physical and/or quantitative sciences. Students participate full time for 3 consecutive months.  The preferred time period is from mid-May through mid-August. The following is a full list of eligibility requirements:

• Must be a full-time masters or pre-dissertation graduate student from a quantitative or physical science department with a minimum GPA of 3.5
• Must have completed at least one year (two semesters) of study before the summer training begins
• Must express interest in exploring independent research in Big Data in infectious disease and/or healthcare
• Must receive a formal agreement from home department/school for summer release to attend the training
• Must commit to the 3-month formal 40-hours-per-week training engagement in the T35 program
• Must commit to submitting a publishable manuscript in an area of Big Data infectious disease research no later than one year after the summer training
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (per NIH rules)

Benefits:

• A stipend up to $2,068 for each of the three months that they participate in the program (up to $6,204 total)
• Support to travel to campus (See Travel Reimbursement Policy linked here)
• Up to $1,000 of travel support per trainee to present their research at national and local conferences
• Support for health insurance (if uninsured), tuition, and subject fees
• Housing will be provided during the training period
• Funding to publish a manuscript
• Up to $200 funding for necessary computing software
• Invitation to present on your experience to NIH program officers at our annual Big Data Health Science Conference (in early February)
• Matched with a mentor
• Participation in a funded Big Data research project
• The opportunity to network with influential people in Big Data Science

If you would like to apply, please:

• Discuss your interest in participation in this program with your faculty advisor.
• Correspond via email with Dr. Bankole Olatosi and Ms. Audrey Auen, indicating an interest in applying for the program.
• Complete the application form and required documents (details below).

The following is a list of required documents to submit online alongside your application:

• An essay (1-2 pages) describing your research interests and career objectives. This will help us get you started on a project that interests you and match you with the right mentors to help
• An up-to-date curriculum vitae
• A letter from the home school/department advisor (secondary mentor) confirming the home institutional support for you to participate in the T35 program as a trainee.
• A personal statement describing your future professional goals and how this experience will contribute to your future goals. (Please limit to 1 page)

For questions about the application process or the T35 experience, please visit our Q&A page or contact Dr. Banky Olatosi at olatosi@mailbox.sc.edu or Ms. Audrey Auen at akkuhn@email.sc.edu

All application materials must be received by February 18, 2025
Traineeship offers will be awarded on March 6, 2025