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The USF Undergraduate Research Experience on Women's Health: Promoting Learning that Lasts a Lifetime
Author(s) -
Tigno Xenia T.,
Vaz Kim M.,
Yavneh Naomi,
ElBadri Nagwa S.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.766.11
Subject(s) - construct (python library) , multidisciplinary approach , class (philosophy) , medical education , variety (cybernetics) , undergraduate research , the arts , reproductive health , psychology , pedagogy , medicine , sociology , social science , political science , population , environmental health , artificial intelligence , computer science , law , programming language
The concept of Women's Health has evolved over the past few years from a focus on disorders strictly related to female reproductive organs into a multidisciplinary construct that involves the overall well‐being of women. In the summer of 2007, the University of South Florida established an undergraduate research project on Women's Health, with a belief that a well‐planned educational activity involving both classroom instruction and direct participation of the learner in research activities can advance the cause of Women's Health, promote gender and cultural sensitivity, and emphasize the roles of sex, race, culture and class in creating health disparities in a given community. Faculty from the Colleges of Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, Arts and Sciences and Honors were engaged to expose the students to diverse disciplines and approaches to the concept, and to provide them with a variety of research mentors and projects. In addition to the 6‐week intensive mentored research project, two parallel courses were offered to provide basic information on Women's Health and the fundamentals of research. Based on the positive results from this pilot project, we expect not only to continue the program, but extend its time frame, expand its content, and open its enrolment to a greater pool of students.