RADM Helena O. Mishoe Fellowship for Underrepresented Scientists

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health

Office of the Scientific Director
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

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Revised: September 2020

 

 

Introduction

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has established the the Helena Mishoe Fellowship for Underrepresented Scientists that offers opportunities for underrepresented post baccalaureate individuals to receive training in basic, translational, and clinical research. Individuals must have a specific intention to further pursue an advanced degree after training.

The purpose of the Mishoe Fellowship is to enhance career opportunities in biomedical sciences for post baccalaureate individuals, from health disparity groups, who are planning to apply to graduate or professional (medical/dental/veterinary/pharmacy) school with a career goal of becoming a doctorally-trained scientist or physician-scientist. The NIH is particularly interested in encouraging the recruitment and retention of the following classes of candidates: (A) Individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown by the National Science Foundation to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis (see data at http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/showpub.cfm?TopID=2&SubID=27, and the report Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering). The following racial and ethnic groups have been shown to be underrepresented in biomedical research: Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. (B)  Individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, as described in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended. See NSF data at, http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/wmpd/2013/pdf/tab7-5_updated_2014_10.pdf.  (C) Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, defined as: (1) Individuals who come from a family with an annual income below established low-income thresholds. These thresholds are based on family size, published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census; adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index; and adjusted by the Secretary for use in all health professions programs. The Secretary periodically publishes these income levels at http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/index.shtml. (2) Individuals who come from an educational environment such as that found in certain rural or inner-city environments that has demonstrably and directly inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career.  Recruitment and retention of individuals from a disadvantaged background are most applicable to high school and perhaps undergraduate candidates, but would be more difficult to justify for individuals beyond that level of achievement. The Program supports individuals that will pursue basic science, clinical, translation, biomedical or behavioral health research careers including clinical and laboratory medicine, epidemiology, and biostatistics as applied to the prevention, etiology, and treatment of heart, blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases and sleep disorders. Increasing diversity in the future research workforce may contribute ultimately to the elimination of health disparities in cardiovascular, lung, and blood diseases and sleep disorders in the U.S.

Eligibility Requirements

Students must meet the following criteria:

  1. Have recently completed or will complete a bachelor's degree by the summer of selection,
  2. Must have completed academic training in course work relevant to biomedical, behavioral or statistical research,
  3. Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 or better on a 4.0 scale, or 4.3 or better on a 5.0 scale, and
  4. Be U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

An official transcript will be required if individual is selected for an interview.    

Applicants will not be excluded from consideration or evaluation on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, national origin, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor.

Overview
- RADM Helena O. Mishoe Fellowship for Underrepresented Scientists

The NHLBI provides leadership for a national program of research in diseases of the heart, blood vessels, lung, and blood, and in the uses and management of blood resources and sleep disorders. The NHLBI plans, conducts, fosters, and supports an integrated and coordinated program of research.

Two divisions and one center of the Institute are involved in the Mishoe Fellowship: the Division of Intramural Research (DIR) and the Division of Cardiovascular Sciences - Prevention and Population Sciences Program (DCVS-PPSP), and the Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science (CTRIS). Research experiences available to students in DIR, DCVS-PPSP, and CTRIS include the following:

  • Basic research on normal and abnormal cellular behavior at the molecular level,
  • Clinical research on the normal and abnormal pathophysiologic functioning of the heart, lungs, and blood and in genetic studies of inherited diseases of these systems,
  • Training in epidemiology, clinical trials, and biostatistics relating to the prevalence, etiology, prevention, and treatment of heart, vascular, pulmonary, and blood diseases,
  • Translational research on the development of community-based interventions targeting social determinants of cardiovascular risk and obesity,
  • Late stage translation research that identifies effective implementation strategies to deliver proven effective interventions in real world settings in the United States and abroad,
  • How implementation research can be used to address health disparities, and
  • Systematic evidence review focused on how to identify, appraise, select and synthesize research evidence relevant to the late stages of translation research.

Training Program Description

The Mishoe Fellowship offers each participant the opportunity to work closely with leading research scientists in NHLBI laboratories and offices. The program is designed to provide trainees with hands-on training in a research environment and an opportunity to present their scientific research at national meetings. These research training experiences will prepare students to continue their studies and advance their career in clinical and basic research.

Division of Intramural Research (DIR) Opportunities
- RADM Helena O. Mishoe Fellowship for Underrepresented Scientists

(DIR): Research training is offered in all of the labs and branches of the Division of Intramural Research, and is also available in the NHLBI core facilities devoted to proteomics, genomics, flow cytometry, stem cells, light microscopy, electron microscopy and bioinformatics.

Clinical research training is available in the:

  • Hematology Branch
  • Cardio-Pulmonary Branch
  • Sickle Cell Branch

Basic Science research training is available in the:

  • Genetics and Developmental Biology Center
  • Immunology Center
  • Molecular Medicine Center
  • Systems Biology Center
  • Cell Biology and Physiology Center, and
  • Biochemistry and Biophysics Center

Projects can encompass basic, translational, and clinical aspects of research. The research activities for the training assignments may include:

  • The mechanisms of gene regulation
  • Retroviral-mediated gene transfer and gene therapy
  • Molecular basis of lung diseases and design of new therapeutic modalities
  • Biochemistry and biophysics of contractile proteins and cytoskeletal dynamics
  • Molecular and cellular processes for the conversion of metabolic energy into useful work
  • Molecular basis of transmembrane signaling
  • Pathophysiology of renal function at the cellular and molecular levels
  • Biochemistry of trace nutrients
  • Enzyme kinetics, metabolic regulation, and protein chemistry
  • Computational approaches to biological and chemical questions
  • Developmental biology
  • Systems biology
  • Molecular immunology and cytokines
  • Imaging technologies for visualizing organ and cellular function, and development of community-based interventions targeting social determinants of cardiovascular risk and obesity

Eligibility Requirements
- RADM Helena O. Mishoe Fellowship for Underrepresented Scientists

Students must meet the following criteria:

  1. Have recently completed or will complete a bachelor's degree by the summer of selection,
  2. Must have completed academic training in course work relevant to biomedical, behavioral or statistical research,
  3. Have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 or better on a 4.0 scale, or 4.3 or better on a 5.0 scale, and
  4. Be U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

An official transcript will be required if individual is selected for an interview.

Applicants will not be excluded from consideration or evaluation on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, national origin, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor.

Application Process
- RADM Helena O. Mishoe Fellowship for Underrepresented Scientists

Application Process

The complete application package must be submitted online through the Online Application portal including three letters of reference by January 15. The NHLBI strongly encourages early submission of applications.

The Online Application Package requires the following for submission:

  • Curriculum vitae or resume
  • List of coursework and grades
  • Applicant's research experience, career goals, and interests
  • List of honors, awards, and other special recognition
  • Names and contact information for three references at least one must be from a research mentor
  • Official transcripts may be requested at a later date

For Post-Baccalaureate individuals, research internships begin in May-August of the selection year.

Contact Information
- RADM Helena O. Mishoe Fellowship for Underrepresented Scientists

For additional information and to obtain answers to specific questions, contact:

Dr. Shawn Bediako
Director, Office of Education
Division of Intramural Research
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
10 Center Drive 
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
Email: shawn.bediako@nih.gov 

Selection Process
- RADM Helena O. Mishoe Fellowship for Underrepresented Scientists

Application packages will be reviewed by NHLBI scientists. Candidates will be selected for interviews based on their academic achievement, training, research goals and interests, and letters of recommendation.

The number of trainees selected for any one training period may vary due to the availability of funds and mentors.

Individuals who have been selected to be interviewed will be invited to Bethesda, Maryland to visit the NHLBI at the National Institutes of Health. The applicant will be notified of acceptance or non-acceptance into the program in a timely manner.

Training Assignment and Duration
- RADM Helena O. Mishoe Fellowship for Underrepresented Scientists

One to two year Post Baccalaureate opportunities are available. Post Baccalaureate opportunities begin from June through September of the selection year. The mentor and trainee will agree upon an acceptable start date. All training sites are located in Bethesda, Maryland.

Regarding the trainee's appointment, a one to a two year period beginning the summer of selection is encouraged for a post baccalaureate individual. To satisfy the appointment, individuals are required to complete their training assignments during consecutive years. A second summer or year of funding may be available with both mentor and trainee concurrence.

An NHLBI mentor will be appointed for each trainee. The mentor is responsible for designing a training program plan tailored to the current scientific research of the program area and the needs of the trainee. The training plan must be approved by the assigned Laboratory/Branch Chief.

Training Stipends

Trainees will receive a stipend that is prorated according to the time period the trainee is actually on-site. Stipends are based on student's academic classification beginning the next semester.

The initial stipend check will be issued at the beginning of the first month of training for the time period worked in the previous month. To ensure timely receipt of stipends, trainees must participate in the direct deposit program.

Current Stipend Scale

        Post Baccalaureate: See "PostBaccalaureate IRTA Stipend Levels"

Deductions

Since the NHLBI Mishoe Fellowship stipends are considered awards for training, the following restrictions are applied to the stipends:

  • Social Security and Medicare payments are not deducted.
  • Federal, state and local income taxes are not withheld. However, the stipends are subject to Federal and State taxes as well as local taxes, where applicable. Trainees should consult with the Internal Revenue Service and/or their tax representatives for instructions and additional information.
  • Federal retirement is not applicable.

Health Benefits

Health insurance is required for all Mishoe Fellows. The NIH will pay for low-option individual or family coverage available through the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences (FAES). If you wish to subscribe to an FAES policy with more extensive coverage than that provided by the NIH, you will be required to pay the difference in cost. If you are already insured on another policy, you will be allowed to remain on that policy if you provide evidence of coverage. If the policy is in your name, and you can demonstrate that you are the individual who makes the premium payments, you will be reimbursed by the amount the NIH would have paid for FAES coverage.

Types of Leave

The Mishoe Fellows are not employees of the NHLBI, therefore, they do not earn annual and sick leave, but are excused on all Federal holidays. Mentors may, at their discretion, excuse trainees from their training assignments for reasonable causes such as ill health, emergencies, and personal business. Mentors may grant excused absences for a reasonable period, not to exceed 13 days per training year.

Travel

During training assignments, trainees will be eligible for the following specific travel allowances:

  • Interview Process: Travel and lodging will be arranged and paid by the NHLBI Mishoe Fellowship for candidates invited for interviews.
  • Scientific Meetings: The request for Mishoe Fellowship support to attend a scientific meeting(s) will be made by the mentor and Laboratory/Branch Chief to the Intramural Mishoe Fellowship Director. If approved, the NHLBI DIR will submit travel requests in accordance with the established Laboratory/Branch procedures. All scientific meetings must be related to the mission of the NHLBI and/or directly related to the Mishoe Fellowship  in order to be sponsored by the NHLBI.

Training

During on-site training assignments and at the discretion of the Mishoe Fellowship Director and mentor, trainees may receive funding for career advancing training courses. The training generally takes place at the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences at the NIH or local academic institutions. Support for special training opportunities may be considered on an as needed basis.

Training opportunities supported by the Mishoe Fellowship should be:

  1. Directly related to the purpose of the Mishoe Fellowship, and
  2. Approved by the Mishoe Fellowship Director and trainee’s mentor well in advance of the date of the training course.

The government-sponsored training assistance is available only to those trainees who have activated their fellowship and are currently working on-site at NIH.

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