Students learn how to do health research in UOG internship

[B]MANGILAO, Guam[/B]—A select group of nine public high school students have the opportunity to work as paid interns with mentor professors this summer at the University of Guam, thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

The students are working full-time for 10 weeks with UOG mentor professors on various health related research projects. In August, students will travel to Bethesda, Maryland to attend the NIDDK STEP-UP Scientific Session and Summer Research Presentations. All students will be expected to present an oral presentation of their research experience. Travel and accommodations are covered by NIDDK.

The purpose of the NIDDK Summer Program is to familiarize high school students with health issues, and inspire them to pursue their degrees in areas that will help reduce the health disparities in their communities.

2011 marks the third year the University of Guam has participated in the NIDDK Pacific Island/Alaska Native Summer Internship Program. The students will earn three college credits for their participation in the program, and their tuition will be covered by NIDDK.

The students who were selected to participate in the program are:
* Melissa Pillias, Simon Sanchez High School
* Jannel Banks, Simon Sanchez High School
* Anthony Taianao, Southern High School
* Monique Nicole Camacho, John F. Kennedy High School
* Christian Mondia, Southern High School
* Francine Cruz, Okkodo High School
* Kayla Gabrielle Edubalad, Southern high School
* Jamie Pangelinan, John F. Kenney High School
* Vincent Medler, Simon Sanchez High School

“We couldn’t run this program without the participation of our faculty mentors including Drs. Jason Biggs, Mari Marutani, Mohammad Golabi, Jian Yang, Tim Righetti, and Gaddy Reddy,” said Helen Whippy, UOG senior vice president of Academic and Student Affairs. “These scientists are teaching the NIDDK interns how to conduct research on topics ranging from sequencing the DNA-barcodes of certain seaweeds to analyzing vitamin C and pH in stored calamansi juice, to name a few.”

“These experiences will help familiarize them with research methods and hopefully inspire them to pursue degrees in the sciences,” added Dr. John Peterson, UOG assistant vice president of Graduate Studies, Sponsored Programs, and Research.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases conducts and supports research on many of the most serious diseases affecting public health. The Institute supports much of the clinical research on the diseases of internal medicine and related subspecialty fields, as well as many basic science disciplines. For more information on NIDDK visit http://www2.niddk.nih.gov. [B][I](UOG)[/I][/B]