Co-led by Dr. Florence Momplaisir, MD, MSHP, FACP, Dr. Kelly Jordan-Sciutto, PhD, Edward Kreider MD PhD and Kevin Favor, PhD, our Penn CFAR Scholars’ program is an integral part of the CFAR Network-wide CFAR Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pipeline Initiative (CDEIPI). Our initiative is driven by a strong collaboration with Dr. Kevin Favor of Lincoln University, a historically Black college or university (HBCU), and the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. We’re excited to share our commitment to fostering diversity in HIV/AIDS research and building a more inclusive research community.
Mission
The Penn CFAR Scholars’ program is dedicated to providing research training opportunities that focus on HIV basic, clinical, and social sciences. Our primary mission is to actively involve students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical research cultivating the next generation of HIV/AIDS researchers. In addition to research training, our program provides a robust platform for professional skills development and establishes valuable mentorship networks.
Our scholars actively take part in five established research enrichment programs, spanning laboratory-based, clinical, and social/behavioral domains. These programs are seamlessly interconnected with a dedicated educational curriculum, covering the spectrum of HIV/AIDS social, clinical, and laboratory science, alongside engaging in social and networking activities.
What We Offer
Penn Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program (Penn PREP)
- Post-baccalaureate year-long mentored research.
- Tailored for college graduates passionate about HIV/AIDS research, aiming to enhance their research skills and competitiveness for graduate school.
Summer Undergraduate Internship Program (SUIP)
- Mentored research in laboratory science for undergraduate students.
- Ideal for college undergraduates interested in basic laboratory science or clinical/social/behavioral aspects of HIV/AIDS, seeking to elevate their research experience.
Summer Program in Infectious Diseases Research (SPIDR)
- Clinical or basic science mentored research for undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, and medical students.
- Offers clinical shadowing opportunities.
- Ideal for college undergraduates interested in basic laboratory science or clinical/social/behavioral aspects of HIV/AIDS, looking to enhance their research experience.
Penn Access Summer Scholars (PASS)
- Designed for students from historically Black colleges or universities (HBCUs) interested in HIV/AIDS research, with a focus on boosting research skills and competitiveness for medical school.
- Mentored research in clinical or basic science.
- Paired with clinical shadowing opportunities for undergraduate students.
- Tailored for college graduates passionate about HIV/AIDS research, aiming to boost their research skills and competitiveness for graduate school.
The College of Physicians of Philadelphia and the Mutter Museum (CoP)
- Offers science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) programs for students in under-resourced public high schools in Philadelphia.
- Open to high school students with a strong interest in HIV/AIDS, providing an enriching summer experience.
Meet the Team
- Florence Momplaisir, MD, MSHP, FACP – Program Core Lead
- Kelly Jordan-Sciutto, PhD – Program Evaluation Co-Lead
- Kevin Favor, PhD – Program Evaluation Co-Lead
- Edward Kreider, MD, PhD – Associate Program Director and HIV seminar series course Co-Director
- Yohaniz Ortega, PhD Candidate – Program Course Co-Director
- Hervette Nkwihoreze, MPH – Program Coordinator
- Fatemeh Ghadimi, MD, MPH – Program Coordinator
Important Dates
The application dates for the year 2024 are right around the corner. Thank you for your interest and patience. For further information and application details, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Fatemeh.Ghadimi@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu.
