The Biomedical Career Advancement Program Summer 2017

This summer 60 sophomore, junior and senior students from Detroit Public Schools  and the Metro Detroit Area worked alongside senior faculty members from Wayne State University School of Medicine and conducted research in labs utilizing state-of-the-art techniques in the area of biomedicine as part of the Biomedical Career Advancement Program (BCAP). BCAP, a six-week paid internship was held from June 23 through August 3, is a collaborative program between Wayne State University School of Medicine (WSUSOM), Michigan Area Health Education Center (MI-AHEC), Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority (DWMHA), and Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD).  DWMHA has provided $150,000 to expand the program for DPSCD students and also provided training to the students.

BCAP  was originally founded in 2014 by Jennell White, Ph.D., director of BCAP and Research Scientist in WSUSOM and Children's Hospital of Michigan, is dedicated to students from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to explore research investigation in a highly enriched environment that is devoted exclusively to biomedical research and training. Dr. White was inspired to create the BCAP Program because she participated in a similar program in high school which sparked her interest in science and medicine.

"This initiative was developed to help high school juniors gain the skills and knowledge to work in a laboratory or in a health-related research field," said Dr. White, "An additional benefit is that the program will assist students with strengthening their skills in science, technology, engineering and math."

During the summer students had the opportunity to gain laboratory and research experience, attend seminars conducted by faculty and graduate students and participate in round-table discussions to exchange ideas and share experiences. At the end of the program, students presented their research to their fellow program participants and family.