MU Alcohol Research Training Summer School Intern

The MU-ARTSS program is designed for undergraduate students interested in alcohol research and possible careers as alcohol researchers. The Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of Missouri (MU) hosts a diverse cadre of psychologists dedicated to research into the etiology and course of alcoholism and related disorders. MU-ARTSS professors represent a wide array of expertise in the science of alcohol and addiction including genetics, personality, psychopathology, social and affective neuroscience, and social network analysis. Students participating in the MU-ARTSS program are part of the larger MU Undergraduate Summer Research Internship Program which hosts approximately 100 students from universities and colleges across the nation every year. Students participating in the program develop a research abstract and create a poster to present at the Summer MU Undergraduate Research and Creative Achievements Forum. Our program was highlighted in the Observer. https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/hands-on-training-in-alcohol-research

MU-ARTSS is structured into a week-long didactic program providing an intensive introduction to alcohol research followed by an 8-week research internship in the lab of a MU-ARTSS professor. The program is set up to provide an independent learning experience and offer the intern an opportunity to get a sense of a ‘grad school’ working environment. The internship is full-time with a stipend of $3,600 provided by the National Institutes of Health. In addition, the University of Missouri will be providing room and board at no cost to participants. However, travel costs are not covered and are the responsibility of the intern. Interns will receive 1 hour of academic credit (course title: Special Problems in Psychology, Psych 2950) from the University of Missouri which is paid for by the program. MU-ARTSS aims to increase the pipeline of scientists among minority and nonminority undergraduates who are interested in pursuing careers in alcohol research and is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA, R25AA023687), part of the National Institutes of Health.

1) A week-long didactic program held in the Department of Psychological Sciences from June 3–June 9, 2020.

2) At the conclusion of the didactic program, MU-ARTSS students will be placed in internships from June 10-July 31, 2020 in the laboratories of addiction researchers housed in the Department of Psychological Sciences at MU.

3) Weekly meetings with the MU-ARTSS group to update on the status of the project, professional development discussions, informal discussions on research topics led by postdoctoral and predoctoral fellows, and viewings and subsequent discussions of classic movies that portray the myriad of ways alcohol affects people’s lives.

4) Structured activities as part of MU Undergraduate Summer Research Internship Program on campus, including seminars, training in the responsible conduct of research, and professional development.

Kenneth J. Sher, PhD, Director

Denis McCarthy, PhD. Co-Director

Bruce Bartholow, PhD

Dennis Miller, PhD

Shawn Christ, PhD

Mary Beth Miller, PhD

Clint Davis-Stober

Tom Piasecki, PhD

Scott Frey, PhD

Wendy Slutske, PhD

Ian Gizer, PhD

Doug Steinley, PhD

John Kerns, PhD

Timothy Trull, PhD

Matt Will, PhD

At the conclusion of the week-long didactic program, MU-ARTSS students will be placed in experiential learning internships in the laboratories of researchers at the University of Missouri. Depending upon individual interests, students will be assigned to labs that focus on one or more of the following areas: human genetics; behavioral psychiatric and genetic epidemiology; neurophysiology; and statistical modeling. MU-ARTSS interns will work alongside other interns, graduate students, and faculty members to gain experience in contemporary alcohol research which will provide valuable experiences for preparation for graduate study. Research projects may involve administration of alcohol to humans and work environments may vary from the traditional wet lab to computer labs. This is a full-time experience and participants are strongly discouraged from taking on additional commitments such as summer school or part-time work as the commitment will be 40 hours per week. Information on the type of research projects available may be found at: https://psychology.missouri.edu/research/artss/labs

The program seeks applicants who demonstrate a strong interest in science and medicine. Applicants ideally must have completed 2 years of undergraduate work (exceptions may be made), with a B average or better in all coursework and who are US citizens or permanent residents. It is desirable for students to have completed at least 2 courses (3 semester credit equivalents) in each of the following areas: a) behavioral or social sciences, b) biological sciences, and c) physical sciences/mathematics. Acceptance into MU-ARTSS will be made on the basis of academic performance, overall breadth and depth of academic coursework to date, and recommendations. Seven students will be selected to participate. Individuals who will have earned a baccalaureate degree by the summer of 2020 are not eligible to apply.

Applicants must:

1)     Complete and upload an application form, available at:  https://psychology.missouri.edu/research/artss/muartss-application

2)     Request and have two MU-ARTSS Student Rating Forms submitted (available on the website) from individuals familiar with academic potential and performance of the applicant.

3)     Upload unofficial academic transcripts from currently enrolled institution OR sent to  MUARTSS@missouri.edu  or the address listed below).

4)     Include a resume with current address and email, phone number, computer skills, and research software with which you are familiar. Please also indicate the type of research you are interested in exploring.

Eligible applications must be received via email by February 16, 2020. Applicants will be notified of decisions by March 16, 2020.

MU-ARTSS Coordinator

Department of Psychological Sciences

University of Missouri-Columbia

150 Psychology Building

200 S. Seventh St.

Columbia, MO 65211

Phone: 573-882-1682

Email:  MUARTSS@missouri.edu

Website:  https://psychology.missouri.edu/research/artss/mu-artss