Implementing and Enhancing the Peer Mentor Network (PMN) in Undergraduate Biomedical Research Education

During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the reliance on face-to-face training in research education was identified as a significant weakness; this resulted in a gap in student’s understanding of lab procedure and methodology. To combat this setback, Porter Lab has developed an e-learning peer mentor network for undergraduate students to share knowledge among different research proficiency levels. This platform aims to enhance students' understanding of scientific research (both theoretical and practical) while also fostering improved feedback and collaborative abilities. This presentation offers an overview of the mentoring model and its effectiveness based on direct feedback from the students involved. Results indicated that peer-led delivery of lab-oriented concepts, including experiments and scientific presentations, not only reduced the need for training and staff assistance, but also accelerated students' independence and heightened their interest in research. The peer mentor network model has proven to be a customizable and effective tool for supplementing undergraduate research training, with benefits extending beyond the pandemic context.