SHARP! Program

Session offered:

• June 16th – July 11th, 2025

Locations:

• Various research laboratories, the University of Illinois Chicago Medical Campus
• Surgical Innovation Training Laboratory, SITL, 912 South Wood Street, Chicago

Schedule:
Daily Schedule:

• 9 am: Drop off will occur at the SITL, 912 South Wood Street, Chicago.
• 9 am – 3 pm: Mornings and most afternoons will be spent in apprenticeship at the research laboratories.
• 12 pm: Students will convene for the daily lunch talk, which will include a variety of activities, including scientific talks, data interpretation, featured scientists outlining their career pathways, and in-depth discussion of careers in the fields of biomedical engineering, medicine, or surgery.
• 3 pm -5 pm: Group project work and workshops in biological, biomedical engineering, and medical skills will occur weekly.

Weekly schedule:

• Weeks 1 & 2- Biomedical problem solving, surgical robotic skills
• Week 3-Biological and medical skills, surgical robotic skills
• Week 4- Individual research presentations and discussion, ambassadorship workshop, Sharp! Symposium*

*At the SHARP! Symposium, students will present their research to faculty, participants, and family. Students will also have an opportunity to showcase their acquired skills.

Expectations for the Successful Participant:

The SHARP! Program is built on a foundation of respect: respect for the pursuit of science, respect for professionals dedicated to scientific careers, and respect for those eager to learn about science. Professionalism is required at all times.

Training Requirements

Participants must complete the following mandatory training modules prior to the first day of the program:

1. Biomedical Safety Training
2. Biohazards Training
3. Biomedical Orientation Training

Failure to complete both the online and in-person components of these training modules will result in forfeiture of participation. Upon acceptance into the program, detailed instructions for accessing these modules will be provided.

Program Commitments

1. Research Presentation:
   Participants are expected to deliver a student research presentation at the SHARP! Symposium on the program’s final day. The symposium provides an opportunity to share findings with family members, faculty, and peers, highlighting the culmination of the four-week experience.
2. Biomedical Skills Development:
   Throughout the program, participants will learn biological and biomedical methods via hands-on research experiences and afternoon workshops. Students are expected to:
   • Maintain a detailed lab notebook documenting daily activities, experimental steps, and observations.
   • Develop an understanding of how experimental methods are applied in hypothesis testing.
   • Build practical bench skills that can be applied in future biomedical research.
3. Medical and Surgical Skills:
   Participants will engage in medical and surgical training, including:
   • A suturing lab.
   • A robotic surgery simulation lab using Intuitive robotic surgery simulators
   • Certification in the STOP THE BLEED program.
4. SHARP! Ambassadorship
   SHARP! participants will be encouraged to cultivate and maintain mentorship relationships as they advance into their Ambassadorship, which comprises two key components during their junior year:
   • SHARP! Biomed Breakthrough Challenge: SHARP! Ambassadors will spearhead teams at their respective high schools to participate in the SHARP! Biomed Breakthrough Challenge Competition held in March. Ambassadors and their teams will tackle topics announced in September, fostering collaborative problem-solving and innovation. Teams are required to attend four biomedical and medical didactic sessions designed to enhance their understanding of competition topics and aid in developing proposed biomedical solutions. Ambassadors are expected to guide their teams through this process, honing leadership and project management skills.
   • Outreach to Underserved Communities: Ambassadors will design and implement a two-part science education program for underserved 6th-grade students, focusing on a biomedical topic. This initiative involves creating a comprehensive lesson plan, visiting the school, and delivering the program over two afternoons during the school year. This activity aims to inspire younger students, promote STEM education, and allow Ambassadors to develop teaching and communication skills.
   • Through these activities, SHARP! Ambassadors will gain leadership experience, deepen their biomedical knowledge, and positively impact their communities while preparing for future academic and professional pursuits.

Application and Requirements

The application can be found here and is due February 3, 2025.

• Age requirement: The applicant must be 16 years old at the beginning of the session and must be able to attend all activities in the registered session.
• Consent requirement: Parental/guardian Consent is required.
• Official transcript: An official transcript will be required once the applicant is offered an interview.
• Two Recommendation Forms are required (Find the template in the registration form): We kindly request one recommendation form is submitted from a math or science teacher. The second recommendation can be from an employer, teacher, clergy, or anyone else who knows the student well and can comment on their work ethic, curiosity, interest in science and/or math, and communication skills. The form for the recommendation letter can be found here and should be directly emailed to Dr. Zhinan Wang, znw@uic.edu.

The participant must be committed to serving as a SHARP! Ambassador, engaging in two key activities: one at their high school and one at an elementary school. At their high school, the Ambassador will assemble and lead a team to compete in the March SHARP! BioMed Breakthrough Challenge. This involves organizing team meetings to develop a proposed solution and attending four preparatory sessions, either via Zoom or in person at UIC, alongside their team members. For the elementary school outreach, the Ambassadors as a group will conduct two teaching sessions for 6th-grade students on a biomedical topic, incorporating hands-on activities to enhance learning and STEM engagement.

If selected for an interview, applicants must be able to attend an interview on Wednesday, February 12, or 19th at 6pm at the Surgical Innovation Training Laboratory, 912 South Wood Street, Chicago, IL. Parking is available at the Wood Street Parking lot 1100 South Wood Street.

Program Tuition and Additional Costs
Tuition for the two-year program is $3,500, which includes all workshops and research materials. Scholarships are available according to financial need. Please inquire with one of the course directors.

Lunch Options for the Four-Week Program

1. Panera Meal Plan:

• Daily lunch from Panera is available for an additional cost of $370.

2. Student and Faculty Cafeteria:

• Students may also choose to purchase lunch from the cafeteria located in Student Union West.
• Options include sushi, burgers, Thai, and other cuisines, with pricing varying by selection.

Travel and Boarding
This is a daily program, and participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses. Boarding costs are not included in the program fees.