Conference changes students' goals

"I went to the conference with a curious mind set," biology senior Brianna Paul said of the annual Introduction to Biomedical Research Program sponsored by the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Md.

"I was astounded at the research opportunities available in immunology," biochemistry junior Justin Gazard said.

Sixty college students from across the United States, including Paul and Gazard, were selected to participate in the program Feb. 8-13, which is designed to encourage underrepresented minority groups to pursue a career in biomedical research.

Paul went to the conference because she was curious about the subject matter, although she already had post-graduation plans in the works.

Now, Paul, who planned to take a year off before attending graduate school, will spend that time working for the NIH.

"People told me 'you're ridiculous - this is a once in a lifetime thing,'" Paul said. "I was told by many people that I could write my own ticket to grad school if I worked for the NIH."

Instead of moving to Phoenix to live with her fiancé, he and Paul plan to move to Maryland while she works at the institute.

At the conference, students attended a series of lectures by researchers at the NIH and met individually with researchers in their field of interest. Participating students were also offered internships, Gazard said.

"It (the program) really introduced me to immunology research," he said." It presented another option."

On the final day of the conference, minority science high school students from the surrounding area visited the institute. The college students shared their school and conference experiences.

"The basic idea that I told them was don't stop doing what you're doing because someone says something," Paul said. "Take advantage of as many opportunities as you can."

Gazard said he may have a summer internship with NIH, but plans to finish his senior year at the University of Arizona.

"They (the conference participants) were all really qualified," Paul said. "The IBRP did a good job selecting people. We all got along really well."

"It was a great opportunity to meet different students from around the country," Gazard said. "We still keep in touch through e-mail."

NIH Facts

• The institute is one of eight health agencies of the Public Health Service part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

• 24 separate Inititutes, Centers and Divisions make up the NIH

• The institute's budget for 1998 is $13.6 billion

Source: www.nih.gov