The document discusses a potential collaboration between the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) and Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL) in Ecuador. It outlines opportunities for faculty and student exchanges between the two institutions, including a "sandwich program" that would allow highly motivated UTPL students to complete part of their degree requirements at UAMS. However, such programs present challenges including stress, discontinuity of studies, difficulty integrating into host institutions, and high costs. The collaboration aims to address these issues by providing strong academic and financial support for participating students.

1. Sandwich Doctorate House Institution Student Host Institution

2. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Graduate School

3. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

4. Campus Expansion Residence Hall Over 177 rooms 1 bedroom apartments, efficiency apartments, and 2 room suites Jones Eye Institute Additional floors for more clinical, education, and research activities Hospital New patient tower Psychiatric Research Institute Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute (new building being constructed)

5. About UAMS Research grants and contracts at UAMS and its affiliates exceed $100 million a year Number of faculty has tripled in the past decade. Out of 123 medical schools, 69 for NIH funding 7 buildings on campus house research Two Biomedical Research Centers, Barton Research Center, Arkansas Cancer Research Center, Institute for Aging, Shorey Building, and Jones Eye Institute Research also performed by UAMS faculty in the VA and at the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute

6. Research interests Aging Cancer Drug and alcohol abuse Neuroscience Cell biology Infectious diseases Pulmonary research Pharmaceutical Sciences

7. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Health Related Professions College of Medicine College of Nursing College of Pharmacy College of Public Health Graduate School Over 2500 students (260 graduate students)

8. Graduate School M.S. degrees Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences Pathology Pharmaceutical Sciences Physiology and Biophysics

9. Graduate School M.S. degrees Clinical Nutrition Communicative Disorders (Speech Pathology) Genetic Counseling Occupational and Environmental Health

10. Graduate School Ph.D. degrees Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Interdisciplinary Toxicology Microbiology and Immunology Neurobiology and Developmental Sciences Pharmacology Physiology and Biophysics Pharmaceutical Sciences

11. Graduate School Ph.D. degrees Communication Sciences and Disorders Health Systems Research Health Promotion and Prevention Research Nursing Science

12. Student life GSA (Graduate Student Association), ASG (Association of Student Government), Student Activities and Housing River Market Clinton Presidential Library Alltel Arena Sports Arkansas Twisters Arkansas Travelers Little Rock Zoo

13. Estimated biomedical sciences Ph.D. timeline First year Take courses Rotate in laboratories Second year Take more courses Begin work on project Pass qualifier at the end of second year

14. Years 3-6 Finish up any classes Research, research, research Write and defend dissertation Average time to get Ph.D.~ 5 years Estimated biomedical sciences Ph.D. timeline

15. Application deadlines Many of the programs do not have set deadlines, but it is better to apply early in order to secure a spot in the program if you are accepted. Feb. 15 Communication Sciences and Disorders Genetic Counseling Microbiology and Immunology January 15 Nursing Science

16. General application requirements Application TOEFL (Students from non English speaking institutions) General GRE scores Subject GRE scores (this is very dependent on program) Letters of recommendation (number varies) Essay Make sure you submit all application requirements in a timely manner (prepare early)

17. What makes a competitive application? Grades General and major GRE scores Letters Get from people that know your academic background and career goals Research Advisors Essay Can use essay to talk about any deficiencies in application Experience Research (especially important for Ph.D. programs) Publications Presentations Interviews

18. GRE http://www.ets.org What does it test? “ The GRE® General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills that are not related to any specific field of study.” 3 sections Verbal Reasoning: 200-800 Quantitative Reasoning: 200-800 Analytical Reasoning: 0-6

19. Sandwich Doctorate House Institution Student Host Institution

20. Our Strategic Advantage Two institutions with the opportunity to form a synergistic collaboration in areas of common interest UAMS Bilingual Faculty experienced in working with Latin America Strong academic background Strong record of scientific productivity UTPL Well organized Support for the collaboration at the highest levels A small but highly motivated pool of faculty A pool of highly motivated students Good and continuing improving infrastructure for “In situ” research Focus in one of the highest biodiversity areas of the world

21. UTPL-UAMS Activities 2007 -2011 Memorandum of Agreement (8/2010) Intellectual Property Agreements (in preparation) UAMS Faculty visits UTPL (10 Faculty) UTPL Faculty visits UAMS (10 Faculty) Short term research visits by Faculty and Students (6 UAMS, 6 UTPL) Joint Publications (1 accepted, 4 in preparation) Joint Meeting Presentations (10) Graduate Students (1 MS completed 6/2011, 3 accepted 2012) at UAMS Visiting students at UTPL (2 , and 2 scheduled for 1/2012) Distance courses (1 graduate, 1 undergraduate) Weekly telemedicine conference

22. Challenges to “Sandwich” Students are highly stressed Discontinuity in their academic progress Students have difficulty integrating to the host institution environment Students have difficulty reintegrating to their institutional environment Language barrier Family situation Expen$$$ive

23. What we can we do The student: This program is only for the most highly motivated students The host institution: Provide strong and supportive academic advisers that understand the nature of the “sandwich program” and are willing to help Provide in-state-tuition Develop a culture of working with the “Sandwich Students”

24. What we can we do House Institution: Provide adequate economic support to the student, life is expensive in the USA Provide conditions to work during the “ In situ ” periods, minimized teaching and administrative duties, research environment Recognize the extraordinary effort that the “sandwich” student is making and provide commensurate salary at their return Provide lots of recognition and encouragement

25. Acknowledgments House Institution Student Host Institution