Global Pop

The Summer Research Projects provide 8-10 weeks of global and population health immersion experiences and research projects for students across several schools at the CUIMC. Students are matched with CUIMC mentors and their partner organizations to complete research projects while experiencing the language and culture of their host country firsthand, when abroad.

Students are supported through preparatory research methods courses, pre-departure orientation, summer check-ins, and in-field support.

Summer Research Project locations change from year to year, depending on ongoing projects and partnerships. Students may or may not travel for their project, depending on what their preferences and those of their mentors and partner organizations.

If traveling, students will need to comply with the current travel policy for the program and that of Columbia University.

Students must timely submit their application (usually in early February), take part in our interview process, and be in good academic standing at the time of selection.

Projects are usually carried out between the second week of June and the second week of August.

Students who apply and are selected are granted a stipend of up to $5,000 to support travel, living and research-related expenses.

Students are required to attend a Pre-summer orientation session, complete the Research Methods in Global and Population course (free of charge), and submit an abstract and a poster at the end of the summer. Students are also encouraged (but not required), to submit a Capstone Paper at the end of the summer, through which they will get credits toward the Independent Study in Global and Population Health course.

Please reach out to global.pop@cumc.columbia.edu(link sends e-mail) with any questions.

The lead faculty for the Global Pop Program are:

Michael T. Yin, MD, MS

Michael T Yin, MD, MS, is Director for the Program for Education in Global and Population Health. He is also Director of the Global and Population Health Track of Scholarly Projects and of the Global and Population Health focus of the MD/MS in Biomedical Sciences at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Yin is Associate Professor of Medicine and Program Director for the Fellowship Training Program in Infectious Diseases at CUIMC. Dr. Yin is the Co-director of the Biobehavioral Core of the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at NYSPI and Deputy Director of the Wu Family China Center at CUIMC. His clinical work and research focus on optimization of HIV treatment and care. In particular, he is interested in prevention of metabolic complications associated with chronic inflammation and antiretroviral therapy throughout the lifespan, from children with perinatal HIV acquisition to older adults living with HIV. He is an active investigator in Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) and the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), and maintains research collaborations in South Africa, China, and Brazil.
Kim Hekimian, PhD

Kim Hekimian, PhD, is the Associate Director of Education for the Program for Education in Global and Population Health and Assistant Professor of Nutrition in Pediatrics (Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition) and the Institute of Human Nutrition at Columbia University. Dr. Hekimian received her PhD in Health Policy from the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health with a concentration in Behavioral Science and Health Education. Her research has focused on feeding practices of infants and children in Armenia.

Student Research at VP&S

Global Pop

Michael T. Yin, MD, MS

Kim Hekimian, PhD

Columbia University Irving Medical Center