The ASPIRE Research Buddy Program provides undergraduates with the valuable research experience needed before medical school. Once selected, students are paired with medical school students and faculty mentors within Tulane Medical School's ASPIRE Program, allowing for a triad mentorship learning experience. Upon completing the program, students will develop an abstract and poster presentation on the research they conducted. Many students continue their research well beyond summer with the connections they made during the program.
The ASPIRE Research Buddy Program is the premier inclusion program within Office of Undergraduate Research. It prioritizes applicants who remain underrepresented in the medical field, those being Black, Hispanic, Vietnamese, as well as first-generation college students—though all undergraduates are encouraged to apply. The inaugural year of this program was funded by a generous gift to Newcomb-Tulane College from Tomi Prvulovic with the intention to enhance undergraduate research
Beyond starting a research career early as an undergraduate student, additional benefits include: