Public health Leadership and Learning Undergraduate Student Success (PLLUSS) Program
The PLLUSS Program is a public health leadership and research program for undergraduate sophomore and junior scholars minoring or majoring in public health with at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4-point scale. The PLLUSS Program provides scholars with mentored public health research and community health activities, mentorship, and professional development, especially in the area of promotion of health equity and the elimination of health disparities research. PLLUSS scholars will participate in a comprehensive educational and applied public health learning experience that will enhance their abilities to successfully transition to graduate and professional school, and ultimately to a career in public health.
The PLLUSS program is a collaboration of:
- Kennedy Krieger Institute (KKI), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (including Morgan State University and Howard University), Johns Hopkins University undergraduate program in Public Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and School of Nursing in Baltimore, MD
- California State University – Los Angeles (CSU–LA, a diverse Hispanic-serving institution) in Los Angeles, CA
- University of Cincinnati and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (UC-NIOSH)
Scholars from federally-defined underrepresented populations are encouraged to apply.
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
- The PLLUSS program is a 10-week program that begins May 30, 2016.
- Orientation begins on May 30, 2016 through June 3, 2016 for all students. Orientation will take place at KKI/Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore, MD (May 30th – May 31st) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, GA (June 1-3, 2016). Housing and transportation will be provided for scholars to attend the CDC Orientation. PLEASE NOTE: Students enrolled in the CSU-LA PLLUSS Program will return home after Orientation.
- PLLUSS Research Experience
- KKI-PLLUSS and UC-NIOSH PLLUSS scholars’ research will be June 3, 2016 to August 5, 2016.
- PLEASE NOTE CSU-LA PLLUSS scholars’ research will be June 15, 2016 to August 12, 2016.
Current leadership and research mentorship sites include:
- Kennedy Krieger Institute (Lead Institution)
- California State University – Los Angeles
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
- Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of Cincinnati
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Cincinnati, OH)
Program Description:
Scholars will be paired with a research mentor based on the interests expressed in their application. Scholars will work with their mentor to develop a research question. Available research topics include: health disparities, urban health issues, HIV/AIDS, adolescent health, developmental disabilities, community health, substance abuse treatment and prevention, cancer prevention, and child maltreatment and community violence prevention and treatment.
- Scholars will be mentored to complete an abstract and manuscript through participation in weekly manuscript writing seminars. During weekly manuscript writing seminars scholars will develop skills in data abstraction, literature reviews, basic statistical skills using STATA software (e.g., descriptive statistics, regression analysis, etc.)
- Scholars will be taught to use an Epidemiologic Rubric to discuss a public health topic related to health disparities.
- Scholars will present their research and public health topic at the end of the summer.
- Scholars will be encouraged to submit their research for presentation at a national scientific conference.
- Scholars will participate in educational seminars in public health research methods, health disparities research, impact of social determinants on health, and urban health issues.
- PLLUSS faculty will provide small group professional and public health skill development.
The housing and round-trip travel expenses for out-of-state scholars are available. Student will be paid a $3,500 stipend. All program activities are contingent upon CDC funding.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES
Scholars who are enrolled in undergraduate public health programs are encouraged to apply. Applications are due and must be uploaded by January 31, 2016, 11:59 pm (EST). Applications must be completed within one two-hour session. After two hours, the application system will time out and your information will NOT be saved!
