This summer, approximately 76 high school students will work alongside clinical and research faculty from the Wayne State University School of Medicine to explore clinical, health policy or basic science research as part of the Biomedical Career Advancement Program.

BCAP, a six-week paid internship, is a collaborative program between the Wayne State University School of Medicine, the Michigan Area Health Education Center, the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority and Detroit Public Schools Community District.

BCAP was established in 2014 by Jennell White, Ph.D.  Dr. White, assistant professor of Pharmacology, is dedicated to exposing youth to careers in health sciences.

BCAP students will engage in research Monday through Thursday, and on Fridays will participate in BCAP-hosted laboratory training and informational sessions with a focus on the college admission process, careers in health sciences, and opportunities to build professional networks with peers and Wayne State University faculty and staff.

“Minority Americans are severely underrepresented in scientific and health fields at every level, from the professional workforce -- physicians, dentists, research scientists -- through all levels of the educational system,” Dr. White said. “I developed the BCAP curriculum to combat this underrepresentation by improving science education of minority youths at the early stages of the educational process and by increasing available opportunities to ignite their passion for the sciences.”

Students will showcase their research findings during BCAP’s closing ceremony in August at the School of Medicine. The presentations will allow students to communicate the importance of their research, learn how to clearly state their findings and analyze those findings, and prompt others to ask questions and provide feedback.