Research award supports student and trainee work on immunologic, rheumatologic disease

Applicants must be medical or graduate students, residents or fellows (clinical or postdoctoral) of Penn State College of Medicine. Previous recipients of the Finkelstein Research Award are eligible to apply, but should include a separate statement regarding what was accomplished with the previous support.

The research project must involve basic, clinical, translational, health services or population-based research related to the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of rheumatologic or immunologic diseases. Projects involving the study of autoimmunity and or autoimmune diseases are especially encouraged.

The student/trainee must identify a research mentor who is a full-time faculty member at Penn State College of Medicine to provide advice and assistance in the conduct of the proposed research.

The award may be used to support a student stipend and/or other expenses directly related to the conduct of the proposed research.

Students who are interested in applying and who have not selected a project should consult with faculty members who have expertise in the areas of research noted above.

For advice and assistance, students may also contact members of the Finkelstein Advisory Committee:

• Nancy Olsen, MD, Professor of Medicine and Chief, Division of Rheumatology, 717-531-5834 or nolsen@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
• Lisa Scalzi, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Rheumatology, 717-531-1846 or lscalzi@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
• Ziaur Rahman, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, 717-531-0003, ext. 287896 or zrahman@pennstatehealth.psu.edu
• Charles Lang, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Cellular and Molecular Physiology and Surgery and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies, 717-531-5538 or clang@pennstatehealth.psu.edu

Awardees must agree to meet with a representative of the Finkelstein family at a mutually convenient time and to submit a summary progress report to Penn State College of Medicine’s Research Development office at the conclusion of the project.

Applications for the Finkelstein Memorial Student Research Award must include:

1. Cover page: Complete the Finkelstein Cover Page found in OneDrive (Penn State Access ID login required)
2. Table of contents (including page numbers)
3. Lay abstract: Briefly summarize the project using plain language that a general audience would understand. Avoid using jargon and abbreviations; provide an explanation for any technical terms that must be included.
4. Scientific abstract: Briefly summarize the objective, specific aims and the relatedness and significance of the project with respect to immunology and/or rheumatology.
5. Literature cited: List references (one page)
6. Research plan (two to four pages):
   1. Background
   2. Hypothesis to be tested
   3. Specific aims/objectives
   4. Methods
   5. Performance site
   6. Patient selection/study population issues, if relevant
   7. Biostatistical issues, including power analyses, if relevant
   8. Expected time period for conducting the research
   9. Role of the student in the conception, design and implementation of the project
7. Budget and justification (one page)
   • Note: There are two options for accepting an award:
     • The first option is to take the award as a stipend, which will be paid as an IRS 1099 taxable award.
     • The second option, non-taxable and for projects at Hershey only, is to choose to have the award paid to the department or lab of your mentor for supplies, materials and/or travel to scientific meetings. For this option, the budget would be prepared showing the cost of these supplies, animals, etc.
8. Current resume or biosketch for the applicant
9. Letter of support and a NIH biosketch from the research mentor for the project, which should describe the mentor’s expectations regarding the contributions that the student will make to the project

Applications that do not follow the above format may be returned without review.

Applications will be reviewed by the Finkelstein Advisory Committee with respect to both responsiveness to the program guidelines and scientific and technical merit. Proposals will be selected for award on the basis of merit.

Applicants will be notified regarding the status of their application on or about June 1 of the application year, and awards will be made effective on or about July 1 of the application year. Funds should be expended within one calendar year.

Previous recipients of funding from the Finkelstein Memorial Student Research Award are listed here.