CURIOUS

Cardiovascular Unique Research Initiative
fOr Undergraduate Students

Program Overview

The Center of Excellence for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences CURIOUS program is an 8-week summer research program in cardiovascular disease for undergraduate students who are interested in pursuing research as part of their scientific or clinical career goals. Our principle investigators, who will serve as mentors, lead research programs in several focus areas including: atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, cardiomyopathy, peripheral artery disease, microvascular dysfunction in response to cardiovascular disease risk factors, stroke and the vascular/heart-brain axis.

What do Students do in the program?

• Participate in 8 weeks of mentored research in a laboratory led by our nationally recognized researchers in cardiovascular diseases 
• Have the opportunity to network with a seminar speaker invited specifically for the students in this program
• Learn about graduate life from our students during informal lunches 
• Participate in 2 types of weekly skills training:
  1) cardiovascular basics and state-of-the-art techniques
  2) career development and financial preparedness for graduate school
• Receive didactic lectures in the responsible conduct of research
• Be invited to present a poster at the end-of-program “CURIOUS Research Day”
• Receive: a stipend of $15/hr; some travel costs; rent subsidies

** Top-performing students will be selected to attend and present their work at a national conference **

Some students will be selected to return for a second year, in which they will receive more advanced enrichments and continue their cardiovascular research.

Summer Session 2026

Research Poster Session