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(Student Development Program, cont.) “We deal with social issues, personal issues, healthy living issues, academics, culture and anything else we can cover to help the students cope and learn more about themselves and others,” said Cloud. “This is a traditional teaching philosophy in many cultures.” The Student Development Program’s second phase, the American Indian Science Scholars Program held at UW-Milwaukee, is a one-week summer program providing undergraduates opportunities to observe and participate in scientific research. “Students participate in lab activities as if they were in class and are given opportunities to use equipment in a lab setting,” said Karen Goulet, coordinator of the Student Development Program. In the final phase, undergraduates are able to take all the information and experience they have gained through prior programs and put it into action. A group of 11 to 12 students are selected to participate in summer-long research internships dealing with American Indian health issues. The program has formal partnerships with UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., but students can visit other facilities if the research matches their interests. “There are a variety of opportunities. We have campus lab settings such as the UW-Milwaukee Water Institute, or the Great Lakes Epi Center. We had students working in tribal communities and in urban settings,” said Goulet. UW-Madison senior Aubrey Skenandore knows the benefits of a targeted internship. Despite her busy student schedule and an important organic chemistry test the following week, Aubrey readily described her experiences as an intern in the Spirit of Eagles cancer research program. Originally launched at the Mayo Clinic in 2001, the Spirit of Eagles now runs a program in the UW Comprehensive Cancer Center, where Aubrey started last summer and has been continuing her research throughout the school year “Their goal is to discover cancer rates in different communities, which ones, and how to combat it,” Aubrey said. “Cancer has been something prominent in my family; I thought it was something I could focus toward.” Other recent projects include research on dietary protective factors found in zebra fish, obesity prevention in American Indian youth and research on reproductive health options. Aubrey’s current continuing research focuses on the connection between exercise and cancer rehabilitation. When she learned of the opportunity to find an internship through the Student Development Program, she and Karen Goulet worked together to find a position to match her interest in cancer research and pursuit of a career in physical therapy. “They were extremely helpful in finding something that works for me, I’ll actually be working with a physical therapist,” Aubrey said. Goulet noted that one of the strengths of the internship placement program is its wide variety of opportunities. “The range for the internships is quite diverse,” she said. “It's filling a lot of needs in a lot of places.” According to Goulet, students often find satisfaction and gratitude in working to support their communities. “Students have all gained experiences that have been meaningful for them academically and in professional goal development. I have seen students make decisions to pursue further education and to better define career goals,” said Goulet. Now, after three years, program leaders are preparing to see some of the first graduates step into the job market and into their American Indian communities prepared to address specific health care issues. Armed with a good education and extensive guided training, as well as the bonds and values of their communities, students like Aubrey will be among the first physicians and researchers who have the skills to help their tribes and communities.
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