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Pre-Med: Explore the Medical Field – S1, S2, S3, S4 & S5 – WAITLIST

Is Medicine for you?

Medicine is a long-term commitment that requires many years of training. Given this, many students find it difficult to decide whether medicine is the right career path for them. Through this one-week long program, students will gain insight into what it is like to be a physician. Students will have an opportunity to engage directly with physicians who are passionate about their work. Simultaneously, students will get to explore the state of the art UConn Health Center which is entering an era of unprecedented growth in all three areas of its mission: academics, research, and clinical care.

In addition, students will have an opportunity to gain guidance from UConn's Pre-Med academic advising staff. Moreover, students will be provided supervised transportation from the UConn Storrs campus to the UConn Health Center in Farmington. Students will return to the Storrs campus at the end of each academic day.

UConn Pre-College Summer: Pre-Med Explore the Medical Field

Sessions Offered

Session 1: June 23 – June 29

Session 2: June 30 – July 6

Session 3: July 7 – July 13

Session 4: July 14 – July 20

Session 5: July 21 – July 27

Format

Residential, Non-Credit

This class is meant to be immersive and students will experience:

  • Throughout the week, students will delve into the following aspects of medicine:
  • Practice of basic skills
  • Exploration of common examinations
  • Brief overview of selected topics in cardiology and gastroenterology
  • Demonstration of a mock “code”

UConn Pre-College Summer: Pre-Med Explore the Medical Field

UConn Pre-College Summer: Pre-Med Explore the Medical Field

UConn Pre-College Summer: Pre-Med Explore the Medical Field

Schedule at a Glance


 

7am: Breakfast

8am: Depart to UConn Health

9am – 12pm: Class

12pm – 1pm: Lunch at UConn Health Cafeteria*

1pm – 4pm: Class

4pm: Depart to UConn Storrs

5pm – 7pm: Dinner

7pm – 9pm: Social Programming

10:30pm: Room Checks

*On Friday student will depart from UConn Health after lunch and head back to UConn Storrs to attend a Closing Ceremony from 2:40pm – 4:45pm

Meet the Professors


 

The UConn Pre-College Summer Pre-Med: Explore the Medical Field course will be taught by various doctors, professionals, and consultants from UConn Health. UConn Health is a vibrant, integrated academic medical center that is entering an era of unprecedented growth in all three areas of its mission: academics, research, and clinical care. A commitment to human health and well-being has been of utmost importance to UConn Health since the founding of the University of Connecticut Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine in 1961. Based on a strong foundation of groundbreaking research, first-rate education, and quality clinical care, we have expanded our medical missions over the decades. In just over 50 years, UConn Health has evolved to encompass more research endeavors, to provide more ways to access our superior care, and to innovate both practical medicine and our methods of educating the practitioners of tomorrow.


UConn Pre-College Summer: Pre-Med Explore the Medical Field Shobhana Pathani

Shobhana Pathani, M.D

Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine

Dr. Shobhana Pathani is a hospitalist physician at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She completed her training in Internal Medicine at the University of Massachusetts. She has a deep passion for teaching as well as mentoring residents and medical students which she explores through her work as a faculty member at the University of Connecticut. In addition, she plays an active role in the success of an annual university summer program centered around providing high school students with exposure to a career in medicine.


Jin W. Kim, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine

Dr. Jin Kim is a hospitalist and Assistant Professor of Medicine at UConn Health and the University of Connecticut School of Medicine.  He also serves as Medical Director of Nocturnists, being a part of the medical staff since the inception of the nocturnist program at John Dempsey Hospital, where he plays an active role in the development of the night rotation teaching curriculum.

He received his undergraduate degree at Tufts University and his medical degree at the University of Connecticut.  He then completed his Internal Medicine residency at Baystate Medical Center/Tufts University School of Medicine, serving as Associate Chief Resident in his final year, before moving back to Connecticut to take on his current hospitalist/nocturnist role.  He has an ongoing enthusiasm for his role in teaching and supporting medical residents, medical students, and pre-med students, finding each stage of training to be vital in career direction and professional development.


Ashita Mittal, D.O.

Assistant Professor of Medicine, Department of Medicine

Dr. Ashita Mittal is a hospitalist physician at UConn John Dempsey Hospital. She completed her training in Internal Medicine at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. She is passionate about all aspects of medicine and looks forward to mentoring the next generation of physicians.


The following physicians, professionals, and consultants from UConn Health listed below will not be presenting every session.

Agnest S. Kim, M.D., Ph. D.


Agnest S. Kim, M.D., Ph. D.

Associate Professor of Medicine
Director, Non-invasive Cardiac Imaging and Echocardiography Lab
Director, Cardio-Oncology Program

Dr. Kim provides care to patients with a wide range of cardiovascular illnesses, including coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and cardiomyopathy. She has expertise in advanced non-invasive cardiac imaging, including echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, cardiac MRI, and vascular ultrasounds. She has a particular interest in the cardiac care of cancer patients.

Dr. Kim received her bachelor’s degree at Yale College. She received her medical degree from Vanderbilt University. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at Yale-New Haven Hospital. After residency, she completed a fellowship in cardiovascular diseases at Yale-New Haven Hospital, during which she also obtained a Ph.D. in investigative medicine.

Debapriya Datta, M.D., FCCP

Debapriya Datta, MD, FCCP

Professor of Medicine
Director, Critical Care Clerkship, UConn SOM
Associate Program Director, UConn Pulmonary-Critical Care Fellowship Program
Director, PFT laboratory, CPET Program & PERT Program, UConn Health

Dr Datta is a pulmonary, sleep medicine and critical care medicine physician at UConn Health. She has completed her medical training including residency and fellowship at UConn Health Center. She treats patients with a wide variety of pulmonary disorders as well as patients with critical illnesses admitted to the ICU. Her clinical interests include dyspnea evaluation, exercise physiology, pulmonary embolism and ventilator weaning and ICU outcomes.

She is actively involved in teaching medical students at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine during their clinical rotations in the ICU, hospital floors, and outpatient clinics. She also works closely with trainees- medicine residents and pulmonary–critical care medicine fellows. She is passionate about medical education and has won several teaching awards. She is also involved in medical outcome research and has numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and international scientific meetings to her credit.

George Y. Wu, M.D., Ph.D.


George Y. Wu, M.D., Ph.D.

Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Chief of the Hepatology Section, and Herman Lopata Chair in Hepatitis Research

University of Connecticut Health Center.

He graduated with a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Rochester, and received an M.D. and Ph.D. (biochemistry) from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He trained in internal medicine at Harlem Hospital, Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and received subspecialty training in digestive diseases at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He has been a pioneer in the field of targeted delivery of biological substances specifically to liver cells, hepatocytes. He developed the concept of targeted rescue, targeted gene delivery, an immunocompetent model for HCV infection, and most recently targeted delivery of mitochondria. He has received numerous awards and prizes including the American Liver Foundation Post-Doctoral Fellowship Award, and an American Gastroenterological Association/Industry Research Scholar Award, American Liver Foundation Research Prize, American Gastroenterological Association-Gastroenterology Research Group Young Scientist Award, and a Chinese American Medical Society Scientific Award, was elected a Fellow of the American Gastroenterological Association, and the American Association for the Study of liver Diseases. He was elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation, and the Association of American Physicians, and was a Fulbright Specialist. He has received 10 patents, and founded two startup companies to commercialize inventions. He has published more than 210 peer-reviewed articles, and edited 12 books. He is the comprehensive editor-in-chief of the Journal of Clinical and Translational Hepatology, and series editor for the Clinical Gastroenterology series published by Humana/Springer Press.

Jennifer P. Kanaan, M.D.

Jennifer P. Kanaan, M.D.
Associate Professor of Medicine
Director of critical care point of care ultrasound

Site Director, Pulmonary/Critical Care Fellowship

Dr. Kanaan received her bachelor's degree in biology at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. She returned to her home state to attend UConn medical school. She completed her residency in internal medicine at the Rhode Island Hospital, Brown School of Medicine. Following a year at locum tenens where she worked in Alaska, California, and Arizona, she completed a pulmonary and critical care fellowship at New England Medical Center, Tufts School of Medicine. After graduation, she worked as an attending physician at Danbury Hospital and transitioned to UConn in 2007.

As an Associate Professor in Medicine, Dr. Kanaan divides her time between clinical care and teaching. She is passionate about bringing ultrasound to the bedside and has developed an ultrasound curriculum for pulmonary and critical care fellows as well as hospitalists. She directs a statewide ultrasound course for physicians.

Outside of medicine, she is a mom of four children. Her hobbies include cooking, travel, and sports.

Kevin A. Braghirol, M.D.

Kevin A. Braghirol, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine

Dr Kevin Braghirol is an academic Hospital Medicine physician at UConn Health. He went to UConn for undergraduate studies and medical school. He completed Internal Medicine Residency at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. He is the site director for the inpatient Internal Medicine rotation at John Dempsey Hospital for the 3rd and 4th year UConn medical students. When he is not seeing patients or teaching, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Nikki, and golden retriever, Larry.

Narinder Maheshwari, M.D.


Narinder Maheshwari, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Medicine


Dr. Narinder Maheshwari is an internal medicine physician at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. He completed his medical training at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine and New York Medical College. He has decades of experience working alongside patients and families and a passion for research

 

Rebecca Andrews, M.D.


Rebecca Andrews, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
Associate Program Director, Categorical Internal Medicine
Lead Physician Internal Medicine Associates, Farmington

Dr. Andrews received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, MA before relocating to Connecticut for medical school at the University of Connecticut. She remained at the University to complete a residency including a chief medical resident year. Upon completing her residency, she practiced at a community health center where she served as the medical director and a member of the company’s QA/QI team.

She joined the faculty at UConn in 2009 and divides her time between clinical care and teaching. She is a Professor of Medicine and practicing Internal Medicine Primary Care physician with focuses on health prevention and high quality chronic disease management; chronic pain and safe opioid prescribing; women’s health; LGBTQ+ care; and healthcare policy. She has been recognized for her clinical care as one of Hartford Magazines Top Doctors. Dr. Andrews is the Director of Ambulatory Education and an Associate Program Director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program. As such, she is involved in the daily activities of the resident ambulatory clinic, mentoring, teaching, and increasing the quality of delivered care. She has developed several curricular innovations such as the office based medicine track, a business of medicine course, and a women's health track for future primary care. She is the director of the specialized primary care training tracks within the residency program. She serves as the physician lead for the Patient Centered Medical Home, the Connecticut Comprehensive Pain Center, and Internal Medicine Associates in Farmington. She is also currently serving as the Governor of the CT Chapter for the American College of Physicians and Co-Chairs the Opioid Task Force at UConn Health.

At home, she is a mom of two kids and has a long list of hobbies including creative writing, running, and photography.

 

 

VR and Video Game Design – S4: 1 SEAT LEFT & S5: 3 SEATS LEFT

Come Game Jam with us and make your ideas come to life, and share with your friends!

If you play games, chances are you've thought about creating them yourself. So come in and create a game from scratch using industry-standard tools and see if you like it! There are careers in art, programming, design, and business in the video game industry, which is bigger than the music, sports, or movie industry and is currently seeing huge growth in sales as entertainment focuses on esports and home entertainment.

By the end of this course, you will have created a virtual reality game as a portfolio piece for your future college applications and get feedback on your search. If you have a portfolio already, awesome! if you're just getting started and are thinking "OMG where do I even start?," that's ok, we can help get you on the right track. Whether it's finding opportunities at video game companies that are looking for play-testers or making a series of game prototypes, let's figure it out together!

In this course, students will be able to:

  • Produce a video game prototype
  • Analyze a video game and understand terminology applied in the gaming world
  • Explain a list of general functions and elements which make up a video game
  • Achieve familiarity with the principles, terminology, procedures, and practices of game design and production
  • Provide peer assessments and constructive feedback to fellow students
  • Design the game mechanics for a video game
  • Design and map level progression for a video game

UConn PCS: Video Game Design

Sessions Offered

Session 4: July 14 - July 20

Session 5: July 21 - July 27

Format

Residential, Non-Credit

This class is meant to be immersive and students will experience:

  • Did you know that Flappy Bird was made in a couple of days? There are games that are beautiful, games that are fun, and games that make you want to scream. Our job is to enable you to develop your own "Work of Game" and focus on something you would want to play yourself.
  • The game industry is huge! We find out what companies and career paths exist in the industry by investigating portfolios from developers of Halo, Assassins Creed, and Call of Duty. We also take a look at portfolios from students graduating with a 4-year degree, so that you can find a benchmark for "what you'll need to be able to learn"
  • You can't make something if you don't understand it! Part of a Game Designer's job is to examine games critically, so we will play some short web games and analyze their content.

UConn PCS: Video Game Design

UConn PCS: Video Game Design

UConn PCS: Video Game Design

Schedule at a Glance


 

7am – 9am: Breakfast

9am – 12pm: Class

12pm – 1:30: Lunch

1:30pm – 4pm: Class or Workshop

2:40pm – 4:45pm: Closing Ceremony on Friday

5pm – 7pm: Dinner

7pm – 9pm: Social Programming

10:30pm: Room Checks

Meet the Professor


 

Professor Kenneth Thompson

Ken worked in the game industry for eight years as a Game Designer and Lead Designer before coming to the University of Connecticut. His responsibilities included directing game projects from start to finish, programming unique scenarios using game development tools, and working with publishers such as SEGA, Electronic Arts, and Activision. He has worked with Blockbuster franchises such as Iron Man, Spider-Man, Captain America, Madagascar, Shrek, and over a dozen others. His work in the video game industry has received Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Award for best video game, Indie Game of the Year, and Innovation Awards from industry publications. He now works on serious and entertainment games with grants through the National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, and The National Institute of Health.

 

Ken Thompson’s Faculty Page: https://dmd.uconn.edu/person/kenneth-thompson/

And website: http://gamedevprofessor.com/

 

Professor Thompson

Pre-Vet: Marine Animal Health and Veterinary Science – S1: WAITLIST & S4: WAITLIST

Immerse yourself in the marine world and explore your passions for veterinary science, animal care, animal training and research.

The Pre-Vet: Marine Animal Health and Veterinary Science course will be hosted at Mystic Aquarium in Mystic, CT where students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the marine world. Throughout this course students will be interacting with aquarium research scientists, veterinarians, animal trainers and animal rescue professionals to understand the science behind their work. Students will gain knowledge and experience through labs and activities focused on animals at Mystic Aquarium including penguins, seals, reptiles and fishes.

Through this course students will participate in labs, tours and activities that will increase their scientific literacy in genetics, hematology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology. Students will learn about careers and education/career pathways directly from working professionals to understand if animal health and veterinary science is a desirable education and career path. Journal discussions will develop students’ skills in reading and analysis of primary scientific literature.

The course involves off-site visits to Mystic Aquarium and the UConn, Avery Point Campus. Supervised transportation is provided by the program and is included in the course cost and fees. Parents/guardians and students will be required to submit Mystic Aquarium participation forms prior to attending this course.

Sessions Offered

Session 1: June 23 – June 29, WAITLIST

Session 4: July 14 – July 20, WAITLIST

Format

Residential, Non-Credit

Related Courses

Marine Biology

This class is meant to be immersive and students will experience:

  • Learn about a wide variety of careers in animal health and veterinary science, from professionals in all stages of their careers.
  • Participate in lab programs focused on hematology, microbiology, molecular biology, anatomy and physiology, and learn how each is utilized to analyze an animal’s health.
  • Observe feeding and training sessions with beluga whales, penguins and sea lions, and have the opportunity to learn from and ask questions of their animal care teams.
    • Please note: students will not have direct encounters with marine mammals.
  • Visit behind-the-scenes areas to view animal care, research and veterinary staff at work. This will include a visit to the animal rescue clinic to understand the veterinary care of both animals at the aquarium temporarily for rehabilitation as well as animals permanently in our care.
  • Explore current topics in marine mammal research during journal article discussions.

UConn PCS: Pre-Vet

UConn PCS: Pre-Vet

UConn PCS: Pre-Vet

Schedule at a Glance


 

On Monday and Friday students will follow the regular schedule
On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday students will be off campus for most of the day:

8:30am: Depart to UConn Avery Point Campus or Mystic Aquarium
9:00am: Class on campus
9:30am: Class off campus
12pm: Lunch at UConn Avery Point Campus or Mystic Aquarium
1:00pm: Class on campus
1:30pm: Class on campus
3:45pm: Depart to UConn Storrs
5pm – 7pm: Dinner
7pm – 9pm: Social Programming
10:30pm: Room Checks

Meet the Professor


 

Dr. Laura Thompson, Ph.D.

Mystic Aquarium Research Scientist

University of Connecticut Assistant Professor in Residence of Marine Sciences

https://marinesciences.uconn.edu/person/laura-thompson/

Dr. Thompson is a research scientist at Mystic Aquarium where she has held multiple positions since 2005. Her time at Mystic includes carrying out her PhD studies on dive physiology in Marine Mammals, as a joint student with the University of Connecticut Marine Sciences Program. Dr. Thompson is involved in many aspects of research at the Aquarium including the development of non-invasive sampling techniques and investigating the response of the immune system to environmental and anthropogenic challenges. Her unique area of interest lies in understanding the complicated relationship between diving and health, via adaptation of the immune system in marine mammals as compared with humans. Dr. Thompson holds a BSc with Honours in Marine and Freshwater Biology from Queen Mary College, University of London and a PhD in Oceanography from the University of Connecticut. She is also an Assistant Professor-in-Residence at UConn, and lectures for Marine Biology courses offered at UConn and URI.

UConn PRe-College Summer: Laura Thompson Pre-Vet Faculty

Pre-Med: Human Anatomy & Physiology – WAITLIST

Learn through Direct Examination, Simulation, and Dissection

Participants in this course will be participating human cadaver dissections. The bodies available for dissection were donated by individuals who wanted their remains to be used for education and research purposes. As a UConn PCS participant, you are privileged to have the opportunity to use this anatomical donation. The rules of the anatomy laboratory are based upon PATIENT PRIVACY, RESPECT, SECURITY, SAFETY, and MAINTENANCE. These rules will be observed in the laboratory AT ALL TIMES. Participants must be respectful and mature to handle this commitment and responsibility.

Our Human Anatomy and Physiology course is the perfect starting point for students interested in entering medical or related health-care fields. In this in-depth look at systemic human biology, you will explore how the cardiovascular, pulmonary, musculoskeletal and nervous systems all work together to help you function. In UConn’s new, state of the art Human Anatomy Learning Lab, you will learn how the body is assembled and how the major organs relate to body function. This hands-on experience will provide an inside-out look at human anatomy and physiology and is an opportunity that most students who are interested in the medical field are not afforded until graduate school.

Sessions Offered

Session 4: July 14 - July 20

Format

Residential, Non-Credit

This class is meant to be immersive and students will experience:

  • the way people are put together and how the systems of the body work together using three hands-on approaches:
    1) direct physical examination
    2) simulation with interactive practice dummies
    3) human cadaver dissection

Students in Pre-Med class

Schedule at a Glance


 

7am – 9am: Breakfast

9am – 12pm: Class

12pm – 1:30: Lunch

1:30pm – 4pm: Class or Workshop

2:40pm – 4:45pm: Closing Ceremony on Friday

5pm – 7pm: Dinner

7pm – 9pm: Social Programming

10:30pm: Room Checks

Meet the Professors


 

Jeffrey M. Kinsella-Shaw, Ph.D., P.T. is an Associate Professor and Director of the DPT Program in the Department of Kinesiology. His areas of expertise include adult development, balance and falls, cognitive psychology, geriatric physical therapy, motor control, motor Learning, and neurological physical therapy.

Professor Kinsella-Shaw

Mary Beth Osborne, PT, DPT, earned both her Bachelors of Science and Doctorate in physical therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a board-certified specialist in neurologic physical therapy.  She is currently an assistant professor in residence at the University of Connecticut in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program and involved in teaching courses in the neurologic rehabilitation and health/wellness domains.  She is also the associate director of clinical education.  At UConn, she is serving on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee for the College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Health and is a member of the Service Learning Faculty Fellows cohort for 2023.

She previously served as the co-director of Duke University Health’s neurologic PT residency program and worked as an outpatient neurologic PT where she provided care to individuals with a variety of neurologic conditions including concussion, stroke, degenerative diseases and vestibular dysfunction.  She worked as an adjunct faculty member at UNC Chapel Hill for 5 years assisting with courses covering neurologic PT and evidence-based practice content areas.  She has held positions with the Academy of Neurologic PT including chair of the Brain Injury Special Interest Group, member of the practice committee and is currently a nominating committee member for the Residency and Fellowship Special Interest Group.  She has presented at local and national conferences on various topics in the neurologic PT realm.

UConn Pre-College Summer Mary Beth Osborne, Pre-Med Faculty

Leadership Style and Skill Development – WAITLIST

Future Leaders: A Personal Leadership Plan

Leadership Style and Skill Development is a course designed specifically for high school students enrolled in UConn's Pre- College Summer program. Throughout the course, students will engage in group discussions, lectures, leadership development activities, class projects, a challenge course, and hear from guest speakers. The course’s aim is to create and enhance awareness of student’s personal leadership strengths, unique styles, values, identities, as well as group dynamics and effective communication. This course will challenge students to think of their personal styles, as well as to think critically about their role as leader in the current and future spaces.

UConn Pre-College Summer: Leadership Style and Skill Development

Sessions Offered

Session 4: July 14 - July 20

Format

Residential, Non-Credit

Related Courses

See Course Offerings

This class is meant to be immersive and students will experience:

  • Group work and individual reflection
  • Low stakes public speaking and intrapersonal communication activities
  • Leadership simulations
  • Soft and hard skill development activities

UConn Pre-College Summer: Leadership Style and Skill Development

UConn Pre-College Summer: Leadership Style and Skill Development

UConn Pre-College Summer: Leadership Style and Skill Development

Meet the Professors


 

Trisha Hawthorne-Noble, MSW (She/Her)

Director for Leadership & Organizational Development & Associate Director of Student Activities

Trisha Hawthorne – Noble holds two degrees from UConn, earning a bachelor's in English and a master's in social work. Currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership at UConn, Trisha has a distinguished a background as a former All-American in Track and Field Student-Athlete and was one of the most decorated athletes in Big East and UConn history. She proudly represented Team Jamaica both collegiately and post-collegiately.

With over 12 years of professional experience at the University, Trisha has contributed 8 years to Athletics, particularly in coaching and developing Student Athlete Development programming. Her journey also extends to the UConn School of Social Work as a Director for Student Academic Services. Presently, she serves as the Director of Leadership and Organizational Development and the Associate Director for student activities at UConn. In this capacity, she oversees various areas, including, but not limited to leadership programs, student organizations/involvement, UConn’s Four Arrows challenge course, and the leadership learning community, scholarships, and awards.

Beyond her administrative roles, Trisha is actively involved in teaching UNIV 1-credit courses and facilitating sessions on personal, professional, or career development for students, faculty, and staff, both internal and external to the university. Throughout her endeavors, Trisha remains dedicated to the values of education, leadership, and inclusive excellence.

 


Tiffany Hoxie, MSMOL (She/Her)

Assistant Director of Leadership and Organizational Development

Tiffany Hoxie began her journey in education 18 years ago, working primarily in Youth Development and Early Childhood Education.  Tiffany holds an associate degree in early childhood education and a bachelor's degree in child studies.  Invested in the non-profit sector while in college, Tiffany climbed the ladder to Director of Education with the Boys & Girls Club organization, where the passion and desire for working with underserved and often unseen communities was born.  This is also the time when the seed for leadership and organizational development was planted.

Tiffany achieved a Master of Management and Organizational Leadership in 2015, and that time, the pivot into higher education and entrepreneurship occurred.  She pursued an entrepreneurial path that focused on “quality educational services from baby and beyond”.  Additionally, she was the Assistant Director of Early Childhood and Child Studies programs at a state university, and currently serves as the Assistant Director of Leadership and Organizational Development at UConn. In this role, she teaches UNIV courses, facilitates career and leadership workshops, and serves as a support for students.

In addition to her role at UConn, she is an adjunct professor at external colleges, focusing on courses related to childhood education as well as business. Tiffany is passionate about ensuring that all students have access to a quality and equitable education.

Pharmacy: Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery – WAITLIST

Develop a working knowledge of the drug discovery process

Prerequisites: High School Chemistry with a grade of C or higher

This course will provide students with an overview of the entire drug development process. We will start with how pharmaceutical companies determine what disease they want to target and work our way through the entire discovery process over the one-week course, ending with post-approval monitoring by the FDA. Along the way, we will answer a variety of specific topics including the following: what is a lead compound, what are drug-drug and drug-food interactions, and how do clinical trials work. Much of our discussion on these topics will revolve around the development of currently used drugs such as Lipitor (high cholesterol), Januvia (type II diabetes), and Harvoni (hepatitis C).

By the end of their week in this course, students will be able to describe the general steps taken by a pharmaceutical company to produce a drug. Students will also gain hands on experience in both chemistry and biochemistry-based science experiments. Finally, students will be introduced to several career options associated with drug discovery, research, and pharmacy.

Sessions Offered

Session 4: July 14 - July 20

Format

Residential, Non-Credit

Related Courses

Chemistry

Pharmacy Practice

This class is meant to be immersive and students will experience:

  • Students will learn key steps of the drug discovery process.
  • Students will learn about the interdisciplinary nature of drug research.
  • Students will perform several chemistry-based experiments in the lab.
  • Students will perform an experiment to test the anti-bacterial properties of several compounds.
  • Students will tour several research labs at UConn.

UConn PCS Chemistry

Chemistry Course

Chemistry Course

Schedule at a Glance


 

7am – 9am: Breakfast

9am – 12pm: Class

12pm – 1:30: Lunch

1:30pm – 4pm: Class or Workshop

2:40pm – 4:45pm: Closing Ceremony on Friday

5pm – 7pm: Dinner

7pm – 9pm: Social Programming

10:30pm: Room Checks

Meet the Professor


 

Dr. Kyle Hadden

Dr. Kyle Hadden is Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and the Director of Research and Graduate Programs in the School of Pharmacy at UConn. He received his BS in Chemistry from Wofford College in 2000 and his PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2004. Dr. Hadden started his independent career at the University of Connecticut in 2009. Throughout his career, Dr. Hadden’s primary research interests have been the early stage development of small molecules as anti-cancer chemotherapeutics and several projects in this area are ongoing in the Hadden lab.

As the Director of Research and Graduate Programs, Professor Hadden plays a primary role in the recruitment and progression of graduate students. He also works directly with other faculty in the Department and School to enhance individual and collaborative research efforts. Professor Hadden teaches in both the pharmacy and graduate curriculum at UConn and has mentored a wide-range of students and postdoctoral fellows in his research lab.

Nutrition: Human Nutrition and Health – WAITLIST

How does Dietary Behaviors Impact Human Body Function and Health?

Prerequisite: High School Biology with a grade of C or higher

The field of nutritional science explores the interactions between living organisms and food. Exploring nutritional science concepts is applicable to everyday life and a variety of professions that includes medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, physician assistant, dietetics, education, policy, and the food, retail, and restaurant industry. Taking this course will give you an advantage about how what we eat or drink impacts the functioning of the human body and a person's health.

This course will introduce you to the field of nutritional science and health. Students will have interactive in-class lectures with videos. In addition, students will use critical thinking skills to complete case studies and hands-on activities individually and small groups to further their understanding about dietary behaviors, nutrients in foods and the human body, and linking nutrient intake to overall health. In addition, students will learn about educational pathways and experiences leading to careers in healthcare, nutrition, and the food industry.

Image of lecture

Sessions Offered

 Session 4: July 14 – July 20

Format

Residential, Non-Credit

This class is meant to be immersive and students will experience:

  • Identify factors that affect food and beverage selection
  • Identify specific nutrients in specific foods and beverages
  • Discuss how food is processed in the body
  • Explore the connection between dietary behaviors and health outcomes
  • Identify strategies and steps to pursue a career related to healthcare, nutrition, and the food industry

Image of students in class

Image of student

Students in class

Schedule at a Glance


 

7am – 9am: Breakfast

9am – 12pm: Class

12pm – 1:30: Lunch

1:30pm – 4pm: Class or Workshop

2:40pm – 4:45pm: Closing Ceremony on Friday

5pm – 7pm: Dinner

7pm – 9pm: Social Programming

10:30pm: Room Checks

Meet the Professor


 

Image of Professor Chea

Molika Chea is a Lecturer in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut. She has completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Connecticut majoring in Biological Sciences and Nutritional Sciences.

With an interest for understanding the nutrient function in foods and dietary behaviors, she continued her graduate studies in Nutritional Sciences at the University of Connecticut. She has conducted research with populations in Connecticut about meeting the recommendations for plant-based food groups and the ability to identify whole grain foods.

Dr. Chea currently teaches NUSC 1165: Fundamentals of Nutrition and NUSC 1167: Food, Culture, and Society during the academic year.

Biomedical Engineering – S3: & S4: WAITLIST

Exploring the use of wearable sensors to record human motion and activities.

Prerequisites: High School Biology, Chemistry, and Physics helpful but NOT required

Biomedical engineering combines engineering, computer science, and life science to discover solutions to health problems, create medical devices and prosthetics, and treat diseases. Being such a broad field, the typical college freshman can be overwhelmed with the intricacies of the different sub-fields, how they relate, and most importantly, how to pursue a professional career in the field. This course is therefore designed to focus on these issues; it is an introductory, hands-on course that acquaints students with an overview of biomedical engineering, its principles, and real-life applications. These applications are found in medical device design, disease diagnosis and treatment, prosthetics, and the restoration of the functions of injured organs and tissues. Topics to be explored include electro-physiological measurement devices, human motion measurement devices, ultrasonic sensors, and 3-dimensional designing and printing.

After completion of the course, students will be able to:
• Demonstrate an understanding of biomedical engineering and its role in the delivery of healthcare.
• Relate the broad biomedical engineering field to their interests and career aspirations.
• Demonstrate an ability to apply biomedical engineering principles to solve a real-life problem.
• Develop technical communication, teamwork, and critical thinking and analysis skills.

UConn PCS: Biomedical Engineering

Sessions Offered

Session 3: July 7 - July 13

Session 4: July 14 - July 20

Format

Residential, Non-Credit

This class is meant to be immersive and students will:

  • Learn about the state-of-the-art biomedical engineering research activities and how they improve our lives.
  • Learn about the prerequisite skills and knowledge needed to be competent in the biomedical engineering sub-disciplines
  • Work in a team to design and build simple yet functional medical device prototypes.
  • Use a computer-aided design (CAD) software to create physical structures for biomedical applications.
  • Communicate your technical results and data through an oral presentation and written report.

UConn PCS: Biomedical Engineering

UConn PCS: Biomedical Engineering

UConn PCS: Biomedical Engineering

Schedule at a Glance


 

7am – 9am: Breakfast

9am – 12pm: Class

12pm – 1:30: Lunch

1:30pm – 4pm: Class or Workshop

2:40pm – 4:45pm: Closing Ceremony on Friday

5pm – 7pm: Dinner

7pm – 9pm: Social Programming

10:30pm: Room Checks

Meet the Professor


 

Patrick Kumavor is an associate professor-in-residence in the biomedical engineering department of the University of Connecticut. He received his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Connecticut in 2008. Dr. Kumavor has worked on a plethora of research activities ranging from ultra-secure encryption systems to biomedical diagnostic instruments for early-stage cancer detection. He has also taught and developed new courses in Foundations of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Measurements, Bioinstrumentation, Bioinstrumentation optics, Junior Design, and Senior Design where some of the capstone projects he has mentored have been featured in news articles. In addition, he’s worked with several undergraduate students on Independent Research Study Projects and as the BME honors advisor, has mentored many students working on their senior honors thesis projects. Dr. Kumavor’s present interest is working with undergraduate students to stimulate in them a passion for science and engineering.

Patrick Kumavor