Research Experience for High School

Research Experience for High School Students (REHSS)

NOTE: This program is not currently available. Please check back after April 2022 for availability.

The Research Experience for High School Students (REHSS) is designed to provide students with an opportunity to learn about and experience scientific research. The student enters into a mentor/mentee relationship with a University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center faculty mentor to achieve a specific goal or project. Each program is individualized to meet the mutual needs of the student and faculty mentor and may last for as little as a week or up to a year. The program requires the student to identify and work with the mentor to formalize an agreement including a basic description of the research activities or project, duration of the program, and the specific schedule to achieve the agreed upon goals.

This program is being administered by the School of Medicine Research Education Office (SOMREO). If you have questions, please send us an email.

NOTE: Students are not allowed to volunteer in UNM SOM labs due to liability risks. They must be registered for academic credit or on a payroll contract.

To ensure the safety of the student and comply with institutional and federal regulations the following restrictions and expectations apply:

Mentee must enter into an agreement with the mentor and agree to adhere to all expectations as outlined in the agreement and abide by the same Code of Conduct and Ethics policies as all other UNM/HSC faculty, staff and students Mentee must complete required training.
Mentee is not allowed to participate in or observe any research pertaining to live vertebrate animals.
Mentee may work only in Biosafety level 1 or lower conditions. They may not work with, or enter into, BSL2 or BSL3 labs.
Mentee must be accompanied by the mentor, or an appropriate supervisor assigned by the mentor, at all times while in the laboratory or research setting.
Mentee must be at least 16 years of age at the time the experience begins
Mentee must be in good academic standing throughout the time period set out in the Agreement.

A complete set of the rules and expectations of the program may be found in the Mentoring Agreement. Students in this program will have Library access as well as Training Central.

IMPORTANT! Application materials must be received at least two (2) weeks prior to start.

Before you begin, it will be helpful to gather the following documents and information:

Parent information (address, phone)
Mentor information (Department, lab location, phone)
Medical information (insurance, recent illnesses, prescriptions, allergies, Primary Care Physician info)

A complete application requires the following documents be completed and submitted to the REHSS program:

All materials can be sent to:

Email (preferred): somreo@unm.edu titled with your full name
Fax: 505-272-2412
Mail: UREHS Program
SOMREO
MSC08 4560
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

You will receive an email confirming the completion of your application once we have received all of the following items:

Mentoring Agreement
Parental Consent

Once these documents are received, your information will be entered into the system and a UNM ID created. (Approximately 1 week)

You will then receive an email with your UNM ID and instructions for completing any online training requirements for your lab.

Expectations

To ensure the safety of the student and comply with institutional and federal regulations the following restrictions and expectations apply:

Mentee must enter into an agreement with the mentor and agree to adhere to all expectations as outlined in the agreement and abide by the same Code of Conduct and Ethics policies as all other UNM/HSC faculty, staff and students Mentee must complete required training.
Mentee is not allowed to participate in or observe any research pertaining to live vertebrate animals.
Mentee may work only in Biosafety level 1 or lower conditions. They may not work with, or enter into, BSL2 or BSL3 labs.
Mentee must be accompanied by the mentor, or an appropriate supervisor assigned by the mentor, at all times while in the laboratory or research setting.
Mentee must be at least 16 years of age at the time the experience begins
Mentee must be in good academic standing throughout the time period set out in the Agreement.

A complete set of the rules and expectations of the program may be found in the Mentoring Agreement. Students in this program will have Library access as well as Training Central.

Application Information

IMPORTANT! Application materials must be received at least two (2) weeks prior to start.

Before you begin, it will be helpful to gather the following documents and information:

Parent information (address, phone)
Mentor information (Department, lab location, phone)
Medical information (insurance, recent illnesses, prescriptions, allergies, Primary Care Physician info)

A complete application requires the following documents be completed and submitted to the REHSS program:

All materials can be sent to:

Email (preferred): somreo@unm.edu titled with your full name
Fax: 505-272-2412
Mail: UREHS Program
SOMREO
MSC08 4560
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001

What to Expect

You will receive an email confirming the completion of your application once we have received all of the following items:

Mentoring Agreement
Parental Consent

Once these documents are received, your information will be entered into the system and a UNM ID created. (Approximately 1 week)

You will then receive an email with your UNM ID and instructions for completing any online training requirements for your lab.

Contact Us

Mailing Address

School of Medicine Research Education Office
MSC08-4560
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131

Phone: (505) 272-1887
Fax: (505) 272-8738

Email: SOMREO@salud.unm.edu

Physical Location:
UNM Health Sciences Center (North Campus)
Reginald Heber Fitz Hall (Building 211)
Room B61

REO Hours & Appointments