The DENDRITES is a program hosted by the Department of Neurology that aims to encourage and support the research and career development of students interested in basic, clinical, and translational neuroscience.
THE PROGRAM
DENDRITES offers students professional development workshops and social activities across Chicago. The program hosts visiting undergraduate students to participate in an intensive eight-week research program under the direction of faculty mentors, introducing them to cutting-edge research methods and solidifying their commitment to pursuing research careers.
Aim 1: Expose undergraduate students to an intensive mentored summer research experience by:
- Introducing students to robust and rigorous research experiences in neuroscience, providing opportunities for students to get hands-on research experience which will expose them to cutting-edge neuroscience research, and solidify the students’ commitment to research careers;
- Pairing students with experienced scientific mentors who will share their enthusiasm for research and their interpersonal, organizational, and research skills to facilitate a positive summer research experience; and
- Providing students with access to state-of-the-art technologies to further motivate and excite them about the process of scientific inquiry.
Aim 2: Facilitate the transition to graduate programs by:
- Offering a workshop series on how to navigate academia, cluster group meetings, and a graduate seminar series;
- Exposing students to a cadre of mentors that can provide career development advice; and
- Improving students’ skills and qualifications to make them competitive applicants when applying for graduate school.
Aim 3: Recruit students into the neuroscience workforce by:
- Readying students for successful careers in the scientific workforce, specifically promoting the pathways to and benefits of seeking a higher degree (PhD, MD/PhD);
- Preparing students for UChicago or other graduate programs by admitting students who have the potential to meet UChicago graduate school admission criteria and for whom we have research opportunities that match their interests; and
- Familiarizing students with UChicago, its opportunities, and its faculty members, facilitating their later application and potential acceptance into a highly competitive graduate school.
The DENDRITES Program enables students to: (1) learn methodology and techniques that are relevant to basic, clinical, and translational neuroscience; (2) formulate specific research goals and appropriate scientific questions; (3) articulate research aims and specific research goals; (4) design well-controlled basic, clinical, translational neuroscience experiments; (5) write an accurate research report; (6) become effective oral presenters; and (7) conduct ethical and responsible research.