Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Training in Environmental Pathology
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
University of North Carolina School of Medicine
Chapel Hill, NC

    

Environmental Pathology
Summer Pregraduate Research Experience in Environmental Health

Experimental pathology encompasses the laboratory investigation of the cause and mechanisms of
          development of disease.  It represents the merger of classical morphological methods of cell and tissue analysis with modern techniques of cellular and molecular biology.  A distinctive aspect of experimental pathology is the use of molecular biology methods to study the interaction of etiologic agents and cellular macromolecules, and the application of this information to the analysis of the mechanisms of disease development at tissue, organ and whole animal levels.  Experimental pathologists must have a broad background in the basic biomedical sciences combined with a detailed understanding of some aspects of the molecular biology of eukaryotic cells.  The experimental pathologist must be acquainted with both the language and methods of analysis of the clinician, who deals with disease at the level of the whole organism, and of the laboratory scientist, who understands the underlying scientific basis of cellular function.  Formal training in laboratory research is required to educate experimental pathologists in research design and interpretation and in the technology to carry out research projects.  Such training must be combined with a sound understanding of the tissue and organ expressions of disease.  Scientists who possess such expertise are highly valued in research, especially those that undertake studies on the mechanisms by which chemicals and cellular macromolecules interact to produce disease.  This is the essence of environmental pathology.
The Summer Pregraduate Research Experience (SPGRE) at UNC-CH provides the opportunity for underrepresented minority undergraduate students from around the country to participate full-time in research projects under the direction of UNC faculty members.  This 10-week research education program is designed for undergraduate students that are interested in pursuing graduate studies leading to the Ph.D. degree.  Freshman undergraduates are not eligible for this program.  Likewise, students that complete their undergraduate training before the SPGRE period will not be considered.  Preference will be given to applicants that have completed their junior year and that are interested in applying to appropriate Ph.D. programs at UNC-CH.  Additional details concerning the SPGRE Program, including stipend and housing information, and on-line application instructions can be found at the SPGRE website. 
The Environmental Pathology Training Program provides support for six undergraduate students each summer through a T35 Short-term Minority Undergraduate Research Training Grant that is funded by the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences.  Applicants to the UNC SPGRE Program that have identified an interest in environmental health and that express career goals that include research-related activities are considered for placement in the laboratories of Environmental Pathology Program Faculty. 

For more information about research opportunities in environmental health for undergraduates through the SPGRE Program, contact Dr. David G. Kaufman or Dr. William B. Coleman.
Summer Pregraduate Research Experience Program Description
UNC Summer Pregraduate Research Experience Homepage
UNC Summer Pregraduate Research Experience Program Contact Information

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Graduate and Post-Graduate Training in Molecular and Cellular Pathology
Pathology Graduate Students' Webpage
Comments to Dr. William B. Coleman