Education & Enrichment

Summer Program In Diabetes & Obesity Research (SPIDOR)

SPIDOR is an in-residence 10-week summer research experience that provides students interested in science and medicine with an opportunity to gain meaningful exposure to the exceptional research and clinical programs at the Keck School of Medicine (KSOM) of USC. Summer scholars will conduct cutting-edge diabetes/obesity research in the laboratories of faculty members from the USC Diabetes and Obesity Research Institute (DORI). Participants will be exposed to basic science, translational, and clinical research experiences. The summer session culminates with students presenting their research findings to the KSOM community.

This program is open to all eligible individuals. DORI operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.

Program Runs May 27 - August 1, 2024

Program Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Completed at least 2 years of undergraduate study
Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 or greater

Selection will be based on:

An essay describing how this program will enhance your educational and career goals
Two faculty Letters of Recommendation (One Must be from a Faculty in the Life Science)
Official college transcript(s)

Program Highlights

Scholars receive a stipend.
Transportation costs and University housing are paid by the program.
Weekly didactic lectures in metabolism, physiology, and biostatistics.
Seminars focusing on reducing health disparities and enhancing cultural competence in health care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can letters of recommendation and transcripts be submitted after the deadline?

Yes, as long as your application form with your essay are submitted by the deadline, your application will be considered on-time. However, recommendation letters and transcripts are due the week after the application deadline.

Can I still apply if I’m graduating with a bachelors in May 2024 (or prior)?

Yes, your application is welcomed as long as you are not accepted into a postbac or graduate program Please use your essay to explain how this program aligns with your future in diabetes/obesity related research.

If accepted into the program, is it mandatory to live in provided housing?

In an effort to encourage full immersion into the program, yes, it is mandatory.

My school semester/quarter ends after May 28, 2024, so can I still apply?

The first week of the program will be completing online trainings. The second week of the program will be live virtual didactic lectures, so all students must be available to attend them from June 3 – 7 from 9am to 4pm (please note that the final schedule is not finalized). Only applicants whose semester or quarter finals end before June 3, 2024, will be reviewed.

"I would 1000% recommend this program, it was a life-changing and extremely fulfilling experience. I have been a part of eight summer programs since my freshman year of high school and this program has been by far the best."

"I really enjoyed how the program was not only research but also included shadowing and volunteering. I viewed this program to be very holistic which stands out from other programs. This holistic approach gave me a lot to think about for the future."

"...This program has left a lasting impression on me. My experiences from lectures, shadowing, and contributing to Dr. Kanoski’s lab reinforced my passion for the biological sciences and medicine. This program allowed me to build a network of USC faculty, medical students, and other pre-med students with whom I plan to stay in contact. This program immersed me in the school culture and gave me a better understanding of what it is like to be a USC student. In addition, I enjoyed learning and creating life-long bonds with other minority pre-med students."

SPIDOR Alumni—Research, Collaboration, Presentation

SPIDOR Ceremony Presentations

2022
2021
2019
2018

Additional Research Opportunities

Annual DORI Symposium

Check out the latest in diabetes research from our 2023 DORI Symposium; featuring doctors, scientists and researchers from top universities and research institutes across the globe.

LA’s BeST @ USC: An Incredible Opportunity for Students in STEM and Data Science Fields

The LA’s Biostatistics and Data Science Summer Training Program (LA’s BeST @ USC) offers excellent opportunities for students passionate about mathematics, statistics, and science. This program, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the Summer Institute for Biostatistics (SIBS), is designed to equip students with critical skills and knowledge at the intersection of STEM and data science.

About the Program

Hosted by the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine, LA’s BeST provides an enriching six-week experience focused on the fundamentals of biostatistics, data analysis, and scientific research. The program aims to introduce participants to modern techniques and concepts in biostatistics, data science, and public health while fostering a strong community among students and mentors.

Key features of the program include:

Hands-on learning: Engage in real-world research projects with guidance from expert faculty.
Earn college credits: Participants will receive free tuition for the duration of the program.
Generous support: A $3,000 stipend, travel coverage, and additional resources for eligible students.
Comprehensive curriculum: Explore topics such as statistical methods, programming, data visualization, and public health applications.

For more detailed information about the program, visit LA’s BeST @ USC.

Why Apply?

This program is not just about gaining technical knowledge; it’s about preparing for a future in STEM fields. With an emphasis on fostering diversity and inclusion, LA’s BeST welcomes students from all backgrounds and creates a collaborative environment for intellectual growth and career development.

Participants will:

Work alongside leading researchers in biostatistics and public health.
Develop skills in widely used programming languages like R.
Learn to apply biostatistical methods to pressing public health challenges.
Learn how to utilize AI for machine learning.
Network with peers and mentors who share a passion for STEM and data science.

Visit the Admissions Page for application details and eligibility requirements.

A Curriculum Built for the Future

The program’s curriculum is structured to provide both theoretical and practical insights into biostatistics and data science. Topics covered include:

Introduction to biostatistics and data science
Statistical programming in R
Data visualization and interpretation
Applications in genetics, epidemiology, and public health

A sample weekly schedule can be found on the program’s Curriculum Page.

Funded by the NIH

This program is supported by the NIH’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) through the prestigious Summer Institute for Biostatistics initiative. Learn more about the funding and purpose of the SIBS program here.

Apply Today

Applications for the 2025 program are now open. For additional details and to submit your application, visit:

We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of talented students to LA’s BeST @ USC!

DORI Pilot Program

The DORI pilot program was implemented to establish a track record in pilot funding and to build a critical mass of collaborative research. Pilot awards funded through DORI have supported new investigators, career development, new technologies, and team science. Since 2013, the DORI pilot program has invested $685,000 on funding a total of 14 awards supporting 12 pilot projects, two of which received a second year of support.

Principal Investigators of the pilot studies come from a diverse background and their work characterizes the integrated and translational theme of the DORI. DORI pilot projects have been successful in producing high-impact findings, and awardees have demonstrated a high success rate in translating their work into larger, externally funded projects.

We aim to reduce these social & health disparities through the development of novel precision options for treatment & prevention tailored to ethnicity & stage of life

Clinical & translational research in patient populations served by USC

Convergent science to harness & leverage unique resources & expertise across KSOM& USC through a diversity of disciplines

Effective health behavior strategies built on community engagement

Our Main Focus

Obesity and diabetes are major health burdens especially in poor and under-represented minorities. DORI establishes a unified vision across University of Southern California (USC) focused on:

Contact Form