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School of Health Professions

Welcome to the UAB School of Health Professions

We are the fastest growing school at UAB and one of the largest health professions schools in the nation. With 20+ programs and 40+ offerings at the bachelor, master, and doctoral levels, our students have the opportunity to develop skills and expertise in some of healthcare’s most challenging and rewarding fields.

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Request Undergraduate Research & Honors Information

Interested in Undergraduate Research? Please fill out the form below because it will allow Dr. G to tailor the conversation toward your research needs. Once you fill it out, she will get back to you ASAP.

 

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Thank you in advance for filling out this form. If you do not receive an email confirmation upon completion, or if you have any problems filling out the form, please contact Kevin Storr at storr@uab.edu.

Undergraduate Research Interest Form

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Announcements

Research Opportunity: UAB's Center for Exercise Medicine and Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging

Thomas Buford, Ph.D., and his research group are seeking highly-motivated undergraduate students interested in serving as a member of an interdisciplinary clinical research team.

Dr. Buford’s lab is aligned with two UAB university-wide research centers, including the Center for Exercise Medicine and the Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging. His research is broadly related to the prevention of physical disability and the preservation of independence among older adults, largely through the use of physical exercise. Students should have a general interest in a field related to the research goals of the lab.

Students should also have a strong interest in learning about the conduct of clinical research – particularly as it applies to working with older adults. Students will be involved in helping to conduct multiple clinical research studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, conducting literature reviews, human subject data collection and/or entry, assisting with regulatory paperwork, and/or development of study manuscripts.

This opportunity requires strong interpersonal skills, basic computing skills, and a commitment of at least one year. Preference will be given to candidates able and willing to provide longer-term commitments. For more information or to apply, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Research Opportunity: UAB Cardiac Rhythm Management Laboratory

When damaged, unlike the adult heart, the neonatal heart is capable of regenerating injured myocardium.

Our project is to better understand and characterize this regeneration process in a piglet model of myocardial infarction. The tasks we would like help with are to feed and care for the animals at night and during the weekends, until they are able to be weaned.

If interested, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Research Opportunity: Biomedical Sciences/Cardiovascular Disease

Samantha Giordano, Ph.D., studies the effects of estrogen (the female sex hormone) on cardiovascular disease.

Her laboratory looks at how decreases in estrogen as females age, causes an increased in inflammation, reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction. This cellular dysfunction can lead to increases in cardiovascular disease, and her lab aim to studies this process.

If interested, please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

How To Get Started

Getting started only requires two steps.

  1. Review potential projects listed below under research opportunities.
  2. Make an appointment to meet with Samantha Giordano-Mooga, Ph.D., director of SHP Undergraduate Research. Email her at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss your interests and opportunities.

It is not necessary to have a mentor or project in advance, we are here to help you find a research experience for your career path!

Note: All Health Professions undergraduate students conducted any type of research are required to take Responsible Conduct of Research Training (RCR); HRP 200 (1 credit hour, online, P/F). This University and Federally mandated requirement for RCR training is required whether you are volunteering, being paid or earning credit hours.

We house a list research opportunities for you here. Other opportunities may also be available, so be sure to contact Dr. Giordano-Mooga at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the latest when you are getting started.

UAB EXPO

This event, a showcase for young researchers, always features a strong showing from students of the School of Health Professions. Sponsored by the UAB Office for Undergraduate Research and Service Learning, the UAB Expo celebrates excellence in research, creative activity and scholarship by showcasing the academic endeavors of undergraduate students. It is held every semester. Click here for more information and to download an abstract submission.

  • For Faculty
    • We welcome new research opportunities for our students. If you have questions about how you can involved as a mentor in SHP Undergraduate Research or the SHP Honors program, please contact Samantha Giordano-Mooga, Ph.D., director of SHP Undergraduate Research & Honors at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
    • If you would like to have your research project advertised to potential student research through this portal, please contact Dr. Giordano-Mooga for the project summary form.
    • We know that many faculty directly recruit students into their project.  We welcome this practice, and ask that the students go through the three-step process outlined at the top of this page, so that we can verify RCR compliance and have an accurate accounting for SHP metrics.

SHP Honors Program

Participate now as part of an Interdisciplinary team solving community based problems in the health professions

The School of Health Professions Honors program offers you the opportunity to experience real world team-based problem solving in community health care. In this program, you will be part of a team comprised of Biobehavioral Nutrition and Wellness (BNW), Biomedical Sciences (BMD) and Health Care Management (HCM) majors that will work with a faculty mentor to identify, research, solve and implement a solution to problem in partnership with a community health organization.

Eligibility requirements include:

  • a GPA of 3.25 or higher;
  • entering the 3rd year of your major;
  • and completion of the application process.

Invitations to apply are sent to eligible BMD and HCM students during Spring semester, and the SHP Honors program curriculum begins in fall semester. Honors Program students who complete all required courses, a total of 10 hours including six hours of team project work, will graduate with School of Health Professions Honors.

SHP Honors Program Curriculum

  • HRP 200 Responsible Conduct of Research (1 hr)
  • HRP 401 Honors Seminar I (1 hr)
  • HRP 405 Team-Based Problem Solving in the Health Professions (2 hr)
  • HRP 411 Honors Team Community Project (6 hr spread over at least two semesters)
  • HRP 402 Honors Seminar II (1 hr)

For more information, contact Samantha Giordano-Mooga, Ph.D., director of SHP Undergraduate Research at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Undergraduate Research

Put the classroom into action by participating in health professions undergraduate research

Mission

The SHP Undergraduate Research and Honors prepares future health professionals through innovative coursework, ethical inquiry, and collaborative research. We equip students with the professional skills, experiences, and values needed to succeed in advanced health programs and serve communities with integrity and purpose.

Vision

To be a nationally recognized leader in undergraduate health education that cultivates ethical, research-driven, and socially responsible scholars. We envision a future where every student is equipped with knowledge, experience, and integrity to lead in health professions, address disparities, and advance well-being through ethical decision-making and evidence-based practice.

Course Offerings

  • 💡 Honors & Leadership Development

    HRP 405 - Team-Based Problem Solving in the Health Professions

    HRP 401 - Honors Seminar I

    HRP 402 - Honors Seminar II

    HRP 411 - Honors Community Service Project

  • 🎓 Pre-Professional Preparation

    HRP 300 - Survey of Health Professions

    HRP 425 - Preparation for Professional School

    HRP 426 - Professional School & Exam Preparation

    HRP 526 - Graduate Student Professional School & Exam Preparation

  • 🔬 Research & Ethics

    HRP 200 - Responsible Conduct of Research Training

    HRP 414 - Volunteer Research Experience

    HRP 415 - Mentored Research in the Health Professions

    HRP 411 - Honors Research Project

  • 🌐 Social Determinants & Global Learning

    HRP 210 - Social Determinants of Health in Alabama

    HRP 475 - Study Abroad in Greece

 

Core Commitments in Action

  • Collaboration

    We build strong partnerships across disciplines, communities, and global networks to enrich student learning and professional growth.

  • Compassion & Caring

    We center empathy and service in all our programs, encouraging students to lead with heart in their academic and professional journeys.

  • Excellence & Achievement

    We challenge students to pursue academic, clinical, and professional excellence through rigorous, hands-on experiences.

  • Integrity

    We uphold the highest standards of ethical engagement in research, service, global learning, and professional conduct.

  • Respect

    We honor diverse perspectives and foster inclusive environments where all voices are valued and heard.

  • Service

    We cultivate a spirit of civic responsibility and community engagement in every student, perparing them to serve with purpose.

  • Social Responsibility

    We prepare students to address health disparities and advocate for equity and justice in their professions.

  • Stewardship

    We responsibly manage resources and opportunities to maximize student impact and support the mission of health advancement.

 

Click here to Get Started.

For more information, contact Samantha Giordano-Mooga, Ph.D., director of SHP Undergraduate Research at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

 

Undergraduate Research & Honors

Welcome to the UAB School of Health Professions (SHP) Undergraduate Research and Honors program.

Here, you will find information on the many opportunities offered by SHP, plus tools for finding project mentors.

We offer you a unique opportunity to experience real world team-based problem solving in community health care as well as the possibility to earn research certificates as an undergraduate.

Subcategories

URH Research Opportunities

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