The Undergraduate Biomedical Research Internship (U-BRI) Program: Basic Science Research Opportunities Provided in Partnership Between UNF and Mayo Clinic, Florida

Research experiences are increasingly expected for undergraduates interested in advanced training in biomedical fields. However, on-campus access to these experiences are inadequate due to limited space, time, or resources of faculty. Summer programs provide opportunities, but students who cannot travel or work paying jobs are barred from full participation. At the University of North Florida, we have developed a partner program with the Mayo Clinic of Florida to help address this need. The Undergraduate Biomedical Research Internship (U-BRI) Program provides UNF students with a yearlong intensive experience in basic science research labs within Mayo Clinic, Florida. Students commit to working in the lab at least 20 hours per week and receive graded course credit that counts as elective courses within their major. Because the two campuses are only six miles apart students can participate in the research program without needing to travel long distances. This increases access for low income and first-generation students. Since 2013, the U-BRI program has placed 100 UNF students from five different majors into basic research labs at Mayo Clinic with over 40 different faculty. This program has greatly expanded the ability of UNF students to gain significant and meaningful hands-on lab experiences. U-BRI students have successfully entered graduate and professional training, as well as being directly hired by Mayo Clinic and other research facilities. This program has helped to establish productive contacts between faculty at both institutions and enhanced the training and reputation of UNF graduates.