ENVIT
The overall goal of “Enhancing Virology Training (ENVIT) through Summer Research” is to prepare and increase the number of underrepresented minority (URM) students in virology-focused careers through didactic, hands-on, mentored, and career-development training.
Program at a Glance
- Provide students with a 9-week virology research training that includes didactic lectures in fundamentals of virology and career-development topics for a virology-focused research and education career.
- Promote evidence-based education in virology by training the students on the methods in fundamental virology research and specialized research techniques in a laboratory setting.
- Engage each student with leading virology researchers (faculty mentor, students, postdoctoral fellows and staff) to stimulate their interest to consider further education and training in virology.
- Develop oral and poster presentation skills of students through scientific presentations of their research internally at MMC Virology Summer Symposium and externally at one
Program Benefits
- Obtain didactic and hands-on training in basic, translational and/or clinical research
- Receive mentored training in cutting edge virology focused research from highly accomplished investigators at Meharry and Vanderbilt
- Participate in weekly research seminar series and small-group learning sessions in virology
- Improve interview and oral presentation skills and receive training in critical and independent thinking
- Present and participate in local and national meetings on virology focused research
- Receive stipend of $4,000 for the 9-week program
- Housing near Meharry’s campus
- Paid travel to/from Nashville, TN
Program Eligibility
- Must be US citizens or permanent residents
- Currently enrolled in medical school, dental school, or a PhD graduate program
- Have an interest in pursuing biomedical research
- Have a minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0
Key Program Dates
- February 20, 2026: Application Deadline
- March – April: Notification of acceptance into program
- May 26, 2026– July 24, 2026: ENVIT Program
Program Directors
LaMonica Stewart, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Neuroscience and Pharmacology
lstewart@mmc.edu
Chandravanu Dash, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology
Director, ENVIT Program
cdash@mmc.edu
Program Mentors
Chandravanu Dash, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Physiology
Director, ENVIT Program
cdash@mmc.edu
Vladimir Berthaud, M.D., MPH
Professor and Division Chief of Infectious Disease
Internal Medicine