Critical to the success of REACH U2 is the Visiting Faculty Researcher, an early-stage investigator or scholar from HBCUs in North Carolina who enriches the experience of REACH U2 student participants through intellectual interactions, community building, and networking on site at the University of Utah.
Program Expectations
The Visiting Faculty Researcher must be from a partnering HBCU in North Carolina and is expected to engage with the REACH U2 student cohort in monthly meetings at North Carolina A&T State University in the spring of 2024 in preparation for the summer experience. During the REACH U2 students’ stay at the University of Utah from May 22 through August 1, 2024, the Visiting Faculty Researcher is expected to be available for daily interactions with REACH U2 student participants. To facilitate a sense of community, the Visiting Faculty Researcher lives alongside REACH U2 students in Benchmark Plaza apartments and attends all REACH U2 student events. The Visiting Faculty Researcher has access to a University of Utah graduate student who coordinates all aspects of the REACH U2 summer program. REACH U2 student expectations are listed on the Program Information page.
Mentored Research
REACH U2 program director Dr. Kola Okuyemi, in partnership with Dr. Raymond Samuel at North Carolina A&T State University, will pair the Visiting Faculty Researcher with a University of Utah faculty sponsor for the duration of the ten-week program. This provides REACH U2 Visiting Faculty Researchers the opportunity to enhance their research and scholarship through participation in the University of Utah intellectual community. REACH U2 Visiting Faculty Researchers can expect to spend 25-30 hours per week on their own research under the mentorship of a University of Utah faculty. Appointments will be considered in fields that innovate at the intersection of health disparities research and biomedical research, including medicine, public health, psychology, sociology, social work, and bioinformatics.
Compensation
The Visiting Faculty Researcher will be paid a stipend of $12,000. In addition, the Visiting Faculty Researcher has access to research funds up to $3,000. On-campus single-occupancy housing and air travel up to $600 will be covered by the program.
Application Procedure
Applications are due 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on Sunday, January 29, 2024 and must include the following components:
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- 2-page Personal Statement that describes the applicant’s research/scholarly work, interest in the program, experience working with undergraduate students, and professional goals for participation in REACH U2,,
- Abstract of the research or scholarly project to be conducted at the University of Utah, including a preliminary budget of how research funds up to $3,000 may be spent,
- NIH-style Biographical Sketch,
- Letter of Support from the applicant’s department chair that speaks to the applicant’s research/scholarly work and teaching.
Materials must be submitted as separate documents in .pdf, with filenames that include the applicant’s last name, to maude.romney@utah.edu. Applicants will be informed of a decision by early February 2024.