Ahmed Idris

CTSI summer research Scholar recognized for an outstanding poster presentation at national biomedical conference of underrepresented minorities

University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts student and CTSI Pathways to Research Program (PReP) 2018 Scholar, Ahmed Idris, was awarded the most outstanding poster presentation in the Social and Behavioral Sciences and Public Health category at the 2018 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS).

Idris was one of 300 poster presenters out of over 4,500 attendees. He credits the training he received through CTSI's PReP Program for preparing him for success.

Idris credits the PReP program’s training for preparing him for success, sharing in an email, “I truly and sincerely thank you all for properly equipping me to engage in the research atmosphere. I prepared for ABRCMS by going back to the same resources you shared with us during the summer and it helped tremendously.”

With the direction of mentor Iris Borowsky, MD, PhD, Pediatrics, Medical School, Idris’s PReP project studies social determinants of health (SDH) and how they are addressed in traditional primary-care clinics.

“The program is an entry point for the scientists of tomorrow. It prepares University of Minnesota Scholars systemwide to compete for national honors and recognition, and build a strong career trajectory” said Michelle Lamere, MPA, ACC, Assistant Director of CTSI’s Research Education, Training and Career Development programs.

CTSI’s PReP program is one of seven career development programs offered by CTSI that provides training and education to advance researchers through the career development pipeline, from an undergraduate experience to an independent research career. The PReP program provides provides undergraduate students with knowledge, skills, and experience in translational science and health equity research.

The ABRCMS was founded to encourage minority, first-generation, veteran, and disabled students to pursue higher education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). Today, ABRCMS is one of the largest professional conferences for underrepresented students.