Are you interested in gaining hands-on experience in data science and infectious disease research?

The NIH-funded R25 Big Data Analytics Emerging Scholar (e-Scholar) Training Program offers underrepresented undergraduate students the opportunity to build valuable skills and the possibility to work alongside faculty members on cutting-edge research projects over the course of a year-long training program. 

With the increase of healthcare-related Big Data, such as electronic health records (EHR), social media, wearable devices, genomic data, and other digital records of information pertinent to individual and population health, Big Data science has brought forth revolutionary advancements in many areas of health sciences, including infectious disease research. However, the potential of Big Data in healthcare research has not been fully realized due to challenges in data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation. One such challenge is the nationwide shortage of a workforce with the necessary knowledge, competencies, and skills of Big Data analytics (BDA), especially a workforce with diverse backgrounds such as underrepresented minorities. A promising approach to increase the diversity of the BDA workforce in infectious disease areas is to promote BDA research training and education among students from diverse backgrounds in the early stages of their academic training.

BDHSC proposed this R25 emerging scholar (R25 e-Scholar) training program for underrepresented undergraduate students to foster their interests and competencies in BDA in infectious disease research in response to PAR-21-258, “NIAID Research Education Program Advancing the Careers of a Diverse Research Workforce.” As an important stage of the workforce development pipeline, the R25 training program for underrepresented undergraduate students will contribute to addressing the nationwide shortage of a diverse data science workforce in NIAID-focused areas.

This NIAID-funded program consists of two stages of dedicated training. “Stage One” of the program is a 6-week, full-time, in-person Summer Institute (“summer camp”) held on the USC Columbia campus. The Summer Camp offers curriculum-based learning opportunities with experts in Professional Development, Big Data Analytics, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Machine Learning, and Public Health Research Design. The Summer Camp will also offer networking opportunities and extracurricular activities. 

At the end of summer camp, up to 50% of the students will be selected for further training in “Stage Two” of the training program. During this stage, students will be matched with a mentoring team and work with established research scientists on Big Data related infectious disease research for the remainder of the academic year (9 months).

This two-stage program was designed to help students gain research and professional development experience and develop confidence in pursuing a postgraduate program or career in Big Data-focused infectious disease research.

Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors from all academic disciplines with an expected graduation date after May 2026 are eligible to apply (i.e., you can not graduate during the program). Students must be enrolled in an accredited college/university in South Carolina. Students with an interest in data science for infectious disease research are encouraged to apply.

Benefits of the Program:

The R25 e-Scholar program provides each student with interdisciplinary mentoring, comprehensive curriculum-based training, and hands-on research exposure and experience. The program offers an opportunity for undergraduate students to gain early exposure to and experience with big data analytics and infectious disease research.

Stage One Trainee: 

• Receive the Big Data Analytics Emerging Scholar Summer Institute Training Certificate
• Receive a stipend of $300.00 each week during the Summer Camp
• Paid housing for the 6-week summer camp held on the USC Columbia campus
• Network and form lasting relationships with cohort members
• Future internship opportunity

Stage Two Trainee: 

• Receive the Big Data Analytics Emerging Scholar Summer Institute Training Certificate
• Receive a stipend of $300.00 each week during the Summer Camp
• Paid housing for the 6-week summer camp held on the USC Columbia campus
• Network and form lasting relationships with cohort members
• Future internship opportunity
• Receive a research stipend of $1,500 per semester (total of $3,000)
• Receive up to $1,500 to attend/network/present at a regional or national conference
• Mentorship with established research scientists and professional development mentors

All R25 trainees must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. Be enrolled at a university/college in South Carolina;
2. Be an undergraduate student from any discipline with an expected graduation date after May 2026;
3. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and have completed at least on year of college by May 2025;
4. Identify as somebody from an underrepresented population in the U.S. biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences research enterprise
   as defined by the NIH;
5. Have an academic advisor at your home institution;
6. Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; and
7. Be at least 18 years old.

* If you have questions or are unsure about your eligibility, please contact Miranda Nixon (mc95@mailbox.sc.edu).  

Stage One Trainees Will: 

• Engage with a team of mentors
• Complete the 6-week summer camp
• Participate in ongoing professional development activities during summer camp
• Attend two retreats, including orientation and graduation

Stage Two Trainees Will: 

• Engage with a team of mentors
• Complete the 6-week summer camp
• Participate in ongoing professional development activities both during and after summer camp
• Attend two retreats, including orientation and graduation
• Present your research at the graduation retreat
• Participate in an academic year (9 months) long research project
• Complete training on research ethics and responsible conduct of research
• Submit an abstract to a local/regional conference

Anticipated commitment: May 9 – June 21, 2025*
*Exact dates TBC and subject to change

Anticipated commitment: May 9, 2025-May 12, 2026*
*Exact dates TBC and subject to change

Meet the R25 Program Mentors

Executive Committee