The UAMS College of Pharmacy Honors in Research Program is available for pharmacy students who desire to conduct original research in an area of the health sciences.
Participation in the Program
Students should apply for various student research opportunities available within the UAMS College of Pharmacy. On-going research opportunities include the A. Nelson Voldeng Fellowship, the Pharmaceutical Sciences Student Research Fellowship, the Pharmacy Practice Student Research Fellowship, work study, support through extramural grants, special studies, or other opportunities as they arise. Stipend support is available through some of these programs.
There are no restrictions on the type of project that may be undertaken by the student. The only requirement is that each project be original research initiated by either the faculty or student. In those cases where a student participates in an ongoing research project, he/she must assume responsibility for carrying out the portion to which he/she is assigned. Preferably, the project would be initiated in the continuous 10-week period usually during the summer months; however, work on the project may continue throughout the school year.
Faculty mentors for students in the Honors in Research Program must provide the research space and supplies necessary for the student’s research project.
Completion of the Program
Research Time Requirement
For completion of the Honors in Research Program, the student must participate in a minimum of ten weeks of full-time intensive research. Although a minimum of 10 weeks of research is required, most research projects will require additional time spent in further data collection, data analysis, and preparation of the manuscript. Therefore, the total time spent in the Honors Research Program may vary depending upon the specific project.
Presentation of Research Findings
Students are required to publicly present the results of the research project. Although presentation at a national meeting is preferred, students may also present their results at local meetings (e.g. UAMS Student Research Day) or regional meetings (e.g. regional scientific society meetings, regional pharmacy meetings, etc). Presentation of results usually requires oral or poster presentations. Students must notify the Pharmacy Student Research Committee of their completion of this obligation by submitting the abstract for the meeting as well as meeting location, dates and any awards received.
Research Manuscript
No later than Jan. 31 of the senior year, students participating in the Honors in Research Program must submit to the Pharmacy Student Research Committee a research manuscript written using author guidelines from a peer-reviewed journal. In general, the manuscript must describe the background and rationale for the project, detailed description of the methods utilized in the research, summary of the results including figures and tables where appropriate, and conclusions from the project. Students are expected to receive general guidance on preparation of a primary research manuscript from their faculty mentors, but are expected to write the manuscript themselves. Following submission of the manuscript to the Pharmacy Student Research Committee, the student may receive comments or questions from the committee that must be adequately addressed prior to completion of the program.
Letter of recommendation from research mentor
This should verify that the student has met the requirements of the Honors in Research Program (spent the equivalent of 10 weeks of full-time research effort, presented the research findings, and written a research report as described above) and put forth a commendable effort. This should be submitted to the Student Research Committee along with the research report and details of the presentation of study findings.
Honors in Research Application
Students must submit this application with their presentation abstract, research manuscript, and letter of recommendation from their research mentor to Benjamin Teeter, PhD, before January 31 of their P4 year.
Graduation Recognition
Students who satisfactorily complete the Honors in Research Program will receive designation on their UAMS College of Pharmacy transcripts as having graduated “With Honors in Research”. Furthermore, these students will be recognized at the annual UAMS College of Pharmacy Honors Convocation and the UAMS Commencement ceremonies.
Recommended Steps to get started
- Consult with faculty members (as early as possible, but ideally before the end of the fall semester of the P2 year) to identify areas of research interest and opportunities for stipends.
- Apply for research experiences or support from the A. Nelson Voldeng Fellowship, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Fellowship, Pharmacy Practice Research Fellowship, work study, special studies, etc.
- Meet with potential research mentors to discuss research projects and timeline for meeting Honors in Research requirements.
Questions?
Contact a member of the Pharmacy Student Research Committee:
- Benjamin Teeter, Ph.D.
- Brendan Frett, Ph.D.
- Amanda Stolarz, Pharm.D, Ph.D.
- Jeremy Thomas, Pharm.D.
- Lindsey Dayer, Pharm.D.