Undergraduate Diversity Program

Colorado Undergraduate Research in Environmental Health Sciences

If you’re an undergrad who is interested in environmental health, come join us for unique mentorship and research experiences. 

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Research Program in Environmental Health Sciences is a paid year-long research and mentorship opportunity specifically for sophomore or junior level undergraduate science majors from an underrepresented minority population and/or those students with disabilities or disadvantaged backgrounds. This program is funded by NIEHS Grant R25 ES025476.

Our program includes:

  • Full summer research and mentorship program (40 hours/week) and a school year research opportunity (10 hours/week)
  • Research opportunities include environmental causes of kidney disease and cancer, climate and environmental justice, effects of chemical threat agents and inhaled pollutants, effects of climate-related exposures (e.g. wildfires), exposures to PFAS and pesticides, biomonitoring of environmental exposures.
  • Mentoring on careers in environmental health sciences, applying to graduate or professional schools, responsible conduct in research
  • Weekly presentations during the summer portion on many areas of environmental health sciences such as environmental justice and equity, environmental carcinogens, microbiome and environmental health, environmental exposures in kidney disease, and PFAS and health effects.
  • Field trips during the summer, such as Rocky Mountain Arsenal, a former EPA superfund site for chemical weapons development. 
How the environment affects our bodies.

Our 3-pronged approach to developing student commitment and interest in environmental health sciences research:

Laboratory Experience

Laboratory Experience

Faculty Icon

Education/Field Trips

Community Icon

Social/Community

The following selection criteria will be used to select the diversity students who will become trainees for our program:

(a) Individuals who are underrepresented in health-related sciences. 

The following racial and ethnic groups are underrepresented in biomedical research and will be candidates for our program:

​African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Hawaiian Natives, and U.S. Pacific Islands Natives.

Individuals with disabilities including a physical or mental impairments that substantially limit one or more major life activities, and/or

Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who come from a family with an annual income that is below established low-income thresholds and/or from a social, cultural, or educational environment have demonstrably and recently directly inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career.

(b) Individuals who are currently undergraduate science majors in their Junior or Senior year at the DTC or other local undergraduate institutions. There will be no preference on prior research experience, rather, we will base selection upon their interest in environmental health sciences.

(c) Individuals who have an exceptional academic record and potential as evidenced by:

(i) High School and College GPA ≥ 3.0,

(ii) SAT ≥ 30,

(iii) Stellar non-academic achievements records, and

(iv) Additional criteria - We recognize that some attractive candidates might not exactly meet all of the aforementioned substantial credentials. Therefore, each applicant will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the selection committee with a consultation. For example, some underrepresented and diverse individuals may be the first in their family to pursue this type of higher education and where appropriate that information will be considered as part of the application. Regardless, of this latter consideration, we will only enroll individuals who will be competitive for acceptance into a high-quality EHS graduate programs or professional schools and have a clear interest and aptitude for conducting research in the future.

(d) Individuals who have a desire to pursue a career in environmental health sciences research as evidenced by their application, the assessment of their teachers and advisors and/or any prior research experience.

(e) Individuals who are United States Citizens, non-citizen nationals of the United States or individuals who have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e. in possession of a currently valid Alien Registration Card I-55 or some other legal verification of such status).

niehs-logo

Jared Brown PhD

Professor Toxicology Graduate Program Director, T32 Training Program in Molecular and Systems Toxicology Director, Colorado Center for Nanomedicine and Nanosafety Co-Director

Alison Bauer PhD, BS

Associate Professor
Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Colorado School of Public Health


kris-fritz

Kristofer Fritz PhD

Associate Professor
Email: kristofer.fritz@cuanschutz.edu
Phone: 303-724-7932




Rebecca McCullough

Rebecca McCullough, PhD

Assistant Professor, Toxicology Graduate Program Associate Director



Nichole Reisdorph

Nichole Reisdorph, PhD

Professor, Mass Spectrometry Facility Director 
Emailnichole.reisdorph@cuanschutz.edu
Phone: 303-724-9234



James Roede

Laura Saba

Laura Saba, PhD

Associate Professor, Director
Emaillaura.saba@cuanschutz.edu
Phone: 303-724-9697


Lee Newman Headshot

Lee Newman, MD, MA

Distinguished Professor, Director (CHWE)
Emaillee.newman@cuanschutz.edu

Program Directors

Jared Brown PhD

Professor Toxicology Graduate Program Director, T32 Training Program in Molecular and Systems Toxicology Director, Colorado Center for Nanomedicine and Nanosafety Co-Director

Alison Bauer PhD, BS

Associate Professor
CMS Login