SMART (Bobbie Cates Hicks Science and Medicine Academic Research Training) Program

SMART Program Overview

Program Name: Bobbie Cates Hicks Science and Medicine Academic Research Training (SMART) Program

Funder: Biomedical Research Foundation of Louisiana (BRF), in partnership with LSU Health Shreveport and Caddo, Bossier, and DeSoto parish school boards

Geographic Scope: North Louisiana (Shreveport area); serves high school seniors from Caddo, Bossier, and DeSoto parishes

Program Description

• Yearlong research experience with faculty investigators at LSU Health Shreveport
• Serves 8-12 academically advanced high school seniors annually
• Focus areas: medicine, biomedical research, biomedical engineering
• Established in 1997; 27+ years of operation with 249+ graduates

Eligibility Requirements

• High school seniors only
• Academically advanced students
• Career interest in medicine, biomedical research, or biomedical engineering
• Residents of served school districts

Program Outcomes

• 100% of surveyed graduates attended or are attending college
• 80%+ majored in or have majored in science or health-related disciplines
• 81% attended or plan to attend postgraduate institutions
• Program has graduated 249 students over 27 years

Funding Sources

• BRF funding and program coordination since inception
• Supported by donors including: Bobbie Cates Hicks (late), Bruce J. Heim Foundation, Community Foundation of North Louisiana (Give for Good donors and William C. Woolf Fund), Magale Foundation

Contact Information

• Website: www.lsuhs.edu/research/smart-program
• BRF Website: www.brfla.org/edventures

Related Programs

BRF also supports STEM education through:
• Biotechnology Magnet Academy (BTA) at Southwood High School (~200 participants)
• BioStart senior research laboratory internships at LSU Health Shreveport
• College Navigator at BTA
• Clinical Lab course at Southwood
• FIRST Robotics program