How to Find a Mentor and Funding

GHIG Lunch Talk10/8/2013

Preparing to Contact Potential Mentors• It helps if you are interested in a particular

country or topic area (infectious diseases, surgery, women’s health, etc)• If you’re not sure, or are willing to go

where your mentor may lead you, then be sure to mention that• Be persistent! Sometimes faculty are busy,

and may not respond immediately

Primary Contacts

• Dr. Peter Veldkamp• Dr. Thuy Bui• Dr. Puyana • Dr. Erika Fink• Non-Pitt faculty

Global Health Networking Reception• GHIG has invited faculty in global health

medicine and other students who have done international work for this mixer• Great opportunity to network and

informally speak with many potential mentors• November 4th, 6pm, 1105a/b

Center for Global Health website• Lists affiliated faculty, contact details, and

areas of specialization/research interest• http://www.globalhealth.pitt.edu/about/a

ffiliate-faculty.php

Finding your Own Project

• AMSA has international opportunities site• http://www.amsa.org/AMSA/Homepage/E

ducationCareerDevelopment/IntlHealthOpps.aspx

Finding your Own Project

• Even if you decide to perform research with an outside organization, to qualify for funding from Pitt, you will need to find a faculty mentor in addition to a local mentor – not a big deal

Funding your Summer Research• Start early! Many of these applications are

due soon after winter break• Don’t feel like you need to have a flawless

proposal• Ask and work with your mentor• Don’t reinvent the wheel – look to

previous projects

Advice• Be flexible – the ideal project may not be out there

• Read recent literature about the state of global health research

• Can be basic, clinical, or public health

• Research (IRB) versus QI

• Start early!

Funding Opportunities1. Nationality Rooms Scholarships ($2000-$5000)- funding for international projects, due mid January

2. Dean's Summer Research Grant ($3000)- hypothesis driven research, proposal due mid February. See Zone for more details

3. Medical Alumni Association Summer Enrichment Program ($1000-$2500) - clinical or research experience in medically underserved areas, proposals usually due in March

4. Global Health Travel Scholarships (up to $3000)- research project must address a global health issue, and preference will be given to projects conducted in a developing country or resource-poor setting, application due February 12, 2014

5. International Studies Fund (up to $1000) - conduct research on international issues or in an international setting. Application due Mar. 15, 2014.

6. Department Funding

7. Outside funding (CDC, NIH, Outside mentors, subject-specific)• Deadlines often earlier!

Questions?

•Next: MS2’s discuss their experiences