On Thursday, Aug. 18, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) hosted FIU leaders for a day-long series of meetings to explore internship, employment and research training opportunities for FIU students.
The NIH is a critical partner to FIU’s research mission, with awards totaling approximately $27 million in the last fiscal year. Designated a Carnegie R1 research institution, FIU is focused on cutting-edge research that seeks to solve the problems that impact the world. This includes some of the top NIH-funded research topics at FIU like brain research, ADHD, minority health disparities, and HIV/AIDS.
“NIH was proud to host representatives from the Florida International University,” said Mitzi Kosciulek, team lead of the Corporate Recruitment Unit at the NIH. “This was an occasion to nurture our relationship begun this past winter, showcase our campus and its staff, and share ideas toward a common goal of providing exceptional training and career opportunities for the next generation of scientists.”
While at the NIH, the FIU team received a guided tour of the Clinical Center and NIH research laboratories and clinics, followed by presentations from recruiters of various institutes within the organization.
Lemuel Canady, deputy director of the Office of Research Facilities, gave an overview of the engineering behind the NIH laboratories and discussed the Pathways program—a paid internship for students across disciplines including engineering, architecture and business.
Next, Dr. Robert Lembo, NIH deputy director of the Office of Clinical Research Training and Medical Education (OCRTME) and executive director of Graduate Medical Education, gave a presentation on the paid research opportunities offered by the NIH and how to apply to them. Lembo focused mainly on post-baccalaureate and post-doctoral programs in Clinical Research Training and Medical Education at the NIH Clinical Center.
In attendance from FIU was Helen Cornely, associate dean of the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Mark Macgowan, associate dean of the Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work; Henry Artigues, director of External Partnerships and Economic Development; Larissa Ramos, FIU in D.C.’s associate director of Strategic Partnerships and Programs; and Ethan Starkey, internship and career success manager.
“The face-to-face meeting helped to solidify relationships that will provide FIU students a chance to participate in cutting-edge research and open the doors to jobs in the NIH,” said Artigues.
The visit culminated with an FIU presentation to the NIH’s Inclusive Recruitment Initiatives Subcommittee, with an audience of more than 15 NIH representatives. The showcase included an overview of the university’s diverse student population, funded research portfolio, and spotlights on the Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Workand Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
The day concluded with a presentation from Philip Wang, director of the NIH Graduate Partnership Programs, where he described the many different research partnership programs available to students through the Office of Intramural Training and Education.
Earlier in the year, the Office of Research and Economic Development engaged with representatives from the NIH Clinical Center’s Nursing Department. After multiple discussions, the institutions signed a student affiliation agreement that will pave the way for FIU nursing students to come to the capital to take part in clinical rotations at the NIH. The experience will give students firsthand experience in key research areas for the NIH and pave the way to securing clinical research jobs within the organization.
Aiming to recruit more FIU talent into the NIH and continue to strengthen university research partnerships, the FIU partner colleges, Office of Research and Economic Development, and FIU in D.C. plan to further collaborate with NIH leaders to explore strategies for student success.
Graduate Students: To learn more about NIH graduate programs, pleaseclick here. Click the following links for more information on the NIH Intramural Postbac IRTA/CRTA Program, theGraduate Partnerships Program, and the NIH Postdoctoral Programs.
Undergraduate Students: To learn more about NIH undergraduate internships, visit the Pathways program, NIH Intramural Summer Internship Program, and the Undergraduate Scholarship Program
For more information about FIU in D.C., visit washingtondc.fiu.edu; call (202) 558-3481; or follow onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Interested in learning more about jobs and internships in D.C. or interning in the city and want to connect with the D.C. Panther network? Contact FIU in D.C.’s Career Success Manager Ethan Starkey at ethan.starkey@fiu.edu.
