Online Project IMHOTEP Application Form

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a federal agency responsible for the nation's efforts "to prevent unnecessary illness and death and enhance the health of the American people." Since its inception in 1946, the agency has been an advocate for the control and prevention of disease and leads such efforts against malaria, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, and tuberculosis. The mission of the CDC is to promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability and strives to protect people's health and safety, provide reliable health information, and improve health.

Many of these areas of concern include environmental and occupational hazards, behavioral risks, chronic diseases, and emerging infectious diseases. CDC accomplishes its mission by working with partners throughout the nation and world to monitor health, detect and investigate health problems, conduct applied research to enhance prevention, develop and advocate sound public health policies, implement prevention strategies, promote healthy behaviors, foster safe and healthful environments, and provide leadership and training.

PROGRAM DETAILS

Project: IMHOTEP is an eleven-week internship (May 20, 2013 – August 9, 2013) designed to increase the knowledge and skills of student trainees in biostatistics, epidemiology, and occupational safety and health. The program begins with two weeks of intense educational training. The purpose of this training is to equip interns with the academic coursework and information necessary to complete the program. During the remaining nine weeks, interns conduct public health research with experts at the CDC, NIMR, Mexico Negro, and various other public health agencies.

Eligibility

• Must be a junior, senior, or recent graduate of an undergraduate institution
• Cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher
• Strong interest in Public Health
• Demonstrated leadership, problem solving, and strong verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage ambiguity and work independently

 

Internship Structure

Since the inception of Project: IMHOTEP, interns have been placed in various centers, institutes, and offices (CIOs) within the CDC and various domestic and international agencies, including, but not limited to the:

• National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
• National Center for Health Statistics
• National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention
• National Center for Infectious Diseases
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• National Institute of Medical Research
• Mexico Negro
• Sister Love, Incorporated
• University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Throughout the program, interns participate in a wide variety of seminars, workshops, and other educational initiatives and must complete a required number of community service hours. Interns receive research support and consultation in data analysis and other project requirements. At the conclusion of the program, interns deliver an oral presentation and submit a written manuscript suitable for publication in a scientific journal.

Interns are required to sign a legal contract, adhering to all rules, regulations, and program requirements. During the program, interns receive a financial stipend, housing (at Morehouse and site location), and a travel allowance (travel allowance includes travel to and from Atlanta, site location, and home residence). Interns are required to pay for all expenses incurred during the two-week training (e.g., books) and other miscellaneous expenses (e.g., food) not outlined here (In FY 2005, this cost totaled approximately $300).

Due to the demands of the program, PHSI seeks highly qualified students. The selection process is very rigorous and extremely competitive. Candidates should have a genuine interest in pursuing a career in public health, with a particular emphasis in biostatistics, epidemiology, or occupational safety and health.

Meet the Scholars: Selected Profiles IMHOTEP 2012

 

Laura Dewberry, Tuskegee University, Biology

“I am most passionate about empowering our communities to make health food choices. Nutrition is the first step in achieving optimum health and decreasing incidence rates of health disparities that affect our communities.”

Project Title: Determining the Toxicity of Indium using in vitro to Correlate Exposure with Morphological and Molecular Biomarkers

 

 

Monique Gray, Spelman College, Comparative Women’s Studies

“I am most passionate about examining the social determinants of infertility and preterm birth, in addition to being at the forefront of research to help eliminate health disparities internationally.”

Project Title:  The Number of Lifetime Sexual Partners and Dual Contraceptive Use at Last Sex among Female Adolescents

Susan Fallon, Johns Hopkins University, Public Health

“I am most passionate about obesity. With other 60% of the US population overweight or obese, more needs to be in communities and with health policy in order to decrease prevalence.”

Project Title: Beryllium Sensitization and Chronic Beryllium Disease Dose-Response Analysis

 

Patrick Ryan, University of Maryland - College Park, Psychology

 

“I am most passionate about improving health behaviors in minorities and decreasing the risk and prevalence of disease in these populations.”

Project Title: African American Perspectives in Research and Motivations for Participation

 

 

Bianca Sayegh, Florida Atlantic University, Biological Science

 

“I am most passionate about improving access to basic medical and dental care in underdeveloped third world countries.”

Project Title: Proportion of Non-Viral STI Cases Reported by STD Clinics on the Decline, 2000-2010

 

 

Harold “Colin” Robinson, Villanova University, Biology

 

“I am most passionate about ensuring that health disparities within the community, especially within the field of oral health care, are addressed and that viable solutions are found.”

Project Title: The Evaluation of how National Organizations reach Local Minority Communities

 

 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The online application form is due January 31, 2013 by 11:59PM. Please follow the link below to complete the online application form in addition to submitting the following by the application deadline:

• Official transcript mailed directly to Morehouse College
• Resume or Curriculum Vita
• Two completed online recommender forms

Questions may be sent to: phsi@morehouse.edu

Online Project IMHOTEP Application Form