Become a Research Learning Community as part of UIC’s AHS EXITO Program

Dear Colleagues,

I hope this message finds you well. On behalf of Dean Crespo, I am reaching out to invite you and your research team to participate as a designated Research Learning Community (RLC) in the College of Applied Health Sciences. RLCs are a mechanism for enhancing institutional research and training capacity. It is the cornerstone of the EXITO program we are building which prepares undergraduate students from underserved and historically marginalized communities to lead the transformation of health and social systems as researchers, scholars, and visionaries.

As an RLC, you would provide EXITO fellows with hands-on research experience, mentorship, and professional development support. This includes:

  • Summer Research (Years 2 & 3): 8-week summer lab experience (20–30 hours/week).
  • Academic Year (Years 2 & 3): 10 hours/week of lab-based research.
  • Mentorship: Regular check-ins to guide research projects and career development.

As an RLC, some of the benefits you would gain by joining include:

  • Research Support: A paid EXITO Fellow to work in your lab who has received a yearlong introduction to research and professionalism
  • Financial Support: Funding for lab supplies $1k a year.

EXITO fellows receive financial support, conference funding, and graduate school preparation, ensuring they are well-equipped to succeed.

If you’re interested in participating, please fill out this brief enrollment form by March 17th 2025.

For more details, please see the attached program overview. Thank you for considering this opportunity to shape the next generation of health researchers.

Sincerely,

Sangeetha Madhavan

She/Her

Professor 

Associate Head, Faculty/Student Affairs and Community Engagement

Director, Brain Plasticity Lab

Department of Physical Therapy

UIC College of Applied Health Sciences

P: (312) 355-2517  |  F: (312) 413-0086

E: smadhava@uic.edu | W: bpl.ahslabs.uic.edu

1919 Taylor St. | AHSB M/C 898| Chicago, IL 60612

https://uic.zoom.us/j/9552248379