At Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), we believe that health equity and access require strengthening pathway education programs. Building upon our deepened commitment to combat healthcare inequity, CUIMC and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) created the Ernest E. Just Biomedical Research Scholars @ Columbia in 2021 — a novel eight-week summer program that provides college and graduate students from historically Black colleges, universities (HBCUs), and medical schools with research opportunities and mentors at Columbia. Students in the program are provided a competitive stipend, jointly funded by the UNCF Ernest E. Just Life Science Initiative and CUIMC.
The program was named after Dr.
Ernest E. Just (1883-1941), a preeminent Black scientist-educator, and trailblazer in the life sciences. Dr. Just is best known for his discovery of the “wave of negativity” that sweeps over the egg during fertilization, and his elucidation of the fast and slow blocks to polyspermy. He was also among the first African Americans to receive a doctoral degree and inspired a generation of African American physician-scientists like Charles Drew, an alumnus of Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons (PS’40) and the first appointed African American professor of surgery at the Howard University College of Medicine. Dr. Drew’s contributions to blood transfusion and storage have saved countless lives and helped to lay the foundation for the modern blood banking industry.
The E.E. Just Biomedical Research Scholars @ Columbia program's primary objective is to increase the number of Black researchers in tenure-track positions at Columbia and other leading biomedical research institutions around the country by providing a critical link between young scientists in the pipeline at HBCUs and researchers at Columbia University. The program fosters productive mentorship, as well as advisory and collaborative relationships that link aspiring biomedical scientists and outstanding investigators at HBCUs with exceptional researchers at Columbia University.
To date, 77 students participated in the program, all of whom were surveyed demonstrating the program’s positive impact:
- 87% reported that the research presentations and the career and academic trajectory panels were very useful
- 87% shared that they are more likely to continue in research
- 100% responded that they are more likely to apply to Columbia University for future internship, residency, or research opportunities.
Some of their testimonies include:
“I think the highlight of my summer research stems from the openness of my research mentor and other post-doctoral researchers at the Columbia Center for Translational Immunology in teaching me the basics that I should know regardless of how complex they may have seemed at first. They were also intentional about career paths in the field of biomedicine, and I gained further insights not only in the aspect of conducting research but also tips on how to navigate graduate school and medical school admissions as well as other science-based research conferences which I have started applying to.”
“The most impactful part of my internship and lab experience was the connection I was able to develop with my mentors and the project that I worked on. My mentors not only helped and guided me with the development of my project, but they also gave me much-needed advice on graduate school and my future career. Without their help and guidance, I don't think that I would have enjoyed my summer as much as I did.”
In addition, student mentors shared how impactful and meaningful the program is:
“My mentee spent the summer in my laboratory participating in a project that aims to find novel therapeutic targets in acral lentiginous melanoma. They learned some of the in vitro techniques and were always enthusiastic about the experiments, from the rationale to the observation of the results. Although the internship was short, I believe that because of their motivation, they were able to take advantage of the program to expand their horizons and for the betterment of their scientific skills. They are very friendly and contributed greatly to a healthy environment in the lab. Lab members and other summer interns always felt comfortable with them.”
“My mentee learned quite a bit of science while in the lab and improved in their ability to read scientific literature. I have regular zoom meetings with my mentees and have been helping with their resumes, applications to programs and potential jobs. Community built among the scholars is outstanding.”
The E. E. Just Biomedical Research Scholars Program @ Columbia is completely reliant on private and public funding. Funds raised will help to cover the cost of students’ participation in the program which includes housing, transportation, and stipends for 8-10 weeks during the summer.
We invite you to join us in combatting healthcare inequity by making a donation or sharing this page with your network, and we thank you in advance for your support and consideration.
https://joinus.cuimc.columbia.edu/participant/1154