The Brigham Research in Infectious Disease and Global Engagement (BRIDGE) Summer Fellowship Program is a new 8-week summer research experience in infectious diseases and global health for college students and recent college graduates from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine. Each intern participates in a mentored experience in basic science, clinical or translational research.
Project themes varied and spanned the following topics:
Bacterial and fungal diagnostic development
Pathophysiology of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)
Intersection of HIV and obesity
Basic COVID-19 and HIV research
Transplant infectious diseases
Interns also participate in a tailored weekly lecture series that includes dedicated learning about the fundamentals of research, career paths in medicine and global public health, and preparation for health careers. The summer experience concludes with a research presentation by each intern, attended by division faculty and peers.
One of the objectives of the BRIDGE program is for mentor-mentee relationships to persist even after the formal internship ends, with ongoing support as mentees pursue postgraduate degrees and job opportunities.