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DISC Program The Diversity in Science Collective (DISC) program provides support to students from underrepresented groups who are interested in biology, chemistry or medicine. The DISC program, established by the biology and chemistry departments, offers a variety of resources including faculty, students and staff. DISC meetings are held on a monthly basis for first-year students. At the meetings, students meet faculty members and older DISC students and are given information that helps them become familiarized with the "routines and procedures" in the science division. Students also are provided with information about summer research opportunities on and off campus, and professional organizations. Click here to meet some of the current DISC students. SNMA and OMMH The SNMA is the nation's oldest and largest student organization focused on the needs and concerns of minority medical students communities. The active membership includes approximately 5,000 medical students, pre-medical students, and health care professionals throughout the nation. The SNMA is committed to assisting students of color in attaining admission and successfully matriculating at the nation's medical schools. Some of the DISC students have partnered with medical students who are members of the SNMA chapter at the University of Minnesota. The medical students at the University became mentors for DISC students interested in attending medical school. The mentor and mentee decide how many times to get together and other activities to pursue. To find out more about the SNMA at the University of MN go to www.student.med.umn.edu/snma The Office of Minority and Multicultural Health (OMMH) is a division of the Minnesota Department of Health. The OMMH exists to focus attention on the disparities in health status among Minnesota's populations of color and American Indians. Several Health Coordinators spoke with the DISC students and discussed some of the initiatives at the OMMH. Three DISC students completed internships at the OMMH during the summer of 2005 and 2006 and two students completed internships in 2007. To find out more about the OMMH go to www.health.state.mn.us/ommh Summer Experiences DISC students involved in research and experiential learning off campus during the summer of 2007 include: Dimpho Orionzi and Afeke Kambui interned at the OMMH and were involved in planning programs and meetings that focused on eliminating disparities in health in populations of color and American Indians Paul Maitland McKinley conducted research at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor Maine and did research in kidney failure in mice. Alison Tray conducted research in reproductive biology and DES at the University of Charlotte, North Carolina Kari Tanaka conducted research at the University of Minnesota in the MRSEC program. Jeremy Velasquez was at the University of Texas Southwestern conducting research in gene expression. Natasha Hilt participated in the NAPIR program in Costa Rica. Her research focused on infant mortality rates. Several students who are members of the DISC program were involved in research and experiential learning off campus during the summer of 2006. Anne Schulein-Fournier, Said Guled and Earnest Simpkins interned at the OMMH and were involved with programs that focused on eliminating disparities in health in populations of color and American Indians. Natasha Hilt participated in the Summer Medical Education Program (SMEP) and attended the program at UCLA. SMEP's curriculum includes topics covered during the first year of medical school. Depending on the location, it can also include MCAT preparation and information on the application process for medical school. Stephanie Abascal was a participant in the National Cancer Institute (NCI) program at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. She investigated the gene INSM1 in Dr. Mary Breslin’s laboratory. Arsalan Azam did research in injury and violence prevention at the Center for Health Promotion at the MN Department of Health. |
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