UM Scholars Program

HomeResearchUM Scholars Program
My favorite part was learning about the study and creating a virtual poster that I presented to my peers. Research is fundamental in nursing because health care is constantly changing. Thus, research will help future nurses, like me, to improve patient care and better practices. Amy Zhao, Project: Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias
Matriculation to UMSON Spring 2022
It was great being exposed to various aspects of research, from data collection and analysis to participant intake and study design. As a future nurse, this experience will help me gain a new perspective on best practices and advancements in patient care. Kira Mazel, Project: Pain
Matriculation to UMSON Fall 2022
I was able to learn about geriatric care along with the essentials to make residents’ experience exceptional in nursing home facilities. Nia Kooiman, Project: Palliative Care
Matriculation to UMSON Fall 2021
The UM Scholars program was a great opportunity to learn about the practices involved in nursing research. I will definitely take the skills I developed and the knowledge I gained to nursing school and beyond! Michelle Soltz, Project: Pain
Matriculation to UMSON Spring 2022

University of Maryland Strategic Partnership Mpowering the State LogoThe UM Scholars program is a paid summer internship program that connects students from the University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) with faculty from the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) to collaborate on research projects. It is part of the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State (or MPower).

Faculty members mentor students during the 10-week summer program with the hopes of expanding their knowledge about specific topics in nursing research and exposing them to various research careers available to doctoral-prepared nurses.

What You'll Do

  • You'll be exposed to each element of the research process, including lab skills, data skills, and data collection.
  • Tasks will vary by project and faculty member.
  • The program runs for 10 weeks, full time, beginning in early June.
  • You'll work with your mentor to establish a work schedule.
  • This experience takes place at the UMB campus.

Recent Projects

Palliative Care

Principal Investigator:

Joan Carpenter, PhD, CRNP, ACHPN, FPCN 
Assistant Professor

Project Description:

Palliative Care Consultations for Persons with Alzheimer's Disease and related Dementia (ADRD) in the Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Setting: This study leverages an existing trial protocol and study procedures to expand its focus on ADRD. Specifically, we will compare the demographics, clinical characteristics, and palliative care needs of people with ADRD versus non ADRD serious illnesses during post-acute SNF care. Palliative Care Consultations for Persons in the Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Setting: This study tests an evidence-based primary palliative care intervention derived from existing standards for older adult SNF patients in nursing homes. Implementation Outcomes of a Telehealth Palliative Care Model for Persons with Dementia in Post-acute Care: Grounded in the Reach-Effectiveness-Adoption-Implementation-Maintenance (RE-AIM) Model, this pilot pragmatic clinical trial will assess the implementation outcomes of the Nurse Practitioner (NP) delivered telehealth Palliative Care Consultation in Post-Acute Care intervention for persons living with dementia and their care-partners newly admitted to nursing homes for post-acute care. Needs: participant, screening, study site communication, data collection and cleaning, note taking in study team meetings.

Pain

Luana Colloca headshotPrinciple Investigator:

Luana Colloca, MD, PhD, MS 
Professor, University of Maryland School of Nursing
Adjunct Professor, University of Maryland School of Medicine

Project Description:

The feeling of pain is not just a sensory experience, but is also influenced by emotions, beliefs and expectations, making pain a highly subjective experience. This is evident in clinical practice, where the behavior of the physician and the treatment context can strongly influence the pain experience of patients.  The Colloca lab is involved in several studies examining perception of pain and the mechanisms of pain and pain reduction. 

Worksite Heart Health Improvement Project + Function Focused Care

Principle Investigator:

Kelly Doran, PhD, RN
Associate Professor, Family and Community Health

Project Description:

This project is set in long-term care facilities. It aims to reduce the job stress of long-term care workers as well as improve their health behaviors (exercise, diet, stress management, sleep, weight management, and tobacco exposure). We will also explore the impact of these interventions on the residents living in long-term care facilities. Students may work on data collection, data entry and/or intervention delivery.  

Qualifications

If you are a full-time UMCP undergraduate student on a pre-nursing track, you are eligible and encouraged to apply.

Application Information

Applications for Summer 2022 are now open with a April 8th deadline to apply. 

Questions? Contact:

Adrienne Arthur
Executive Director, UM Strategic Partnership
MPowering the State
410-706-5279
aarthur@umaryland.edu 

UMB students interested in participating in the UM Scholars Program with UMPC faculty can learn more about UMCP’s program here.