The Jackson Heart Study (JHS) is a collaborative effort involving Tougaloo College, Jackson State University, the Mississippi State Department of Health, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The Jackson Heart Study receives support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Minority Health (ORMH) and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Within the Jackson Heart Study, Tougaloo College serves as the Undergraduate Training and Education Center (UTEC). UTEC’s role in the JHS is to prepare students for careers in the biomedical and health sciences. The UTEC sponsors two programs: the Scholars Program for undergraduate students and the SLAM Program for high school students.
Learn more about the Jackson Heart Study
Our Mission
The purpose of the Jackson Heart Study Training and Education Center is to train minority students, especially African Americans to carry out medical research studies like the Jackson Heart Study.
Our Goals
The specific goals of the Undergraduate Training and Education Center are to:
- Create a pool of well-trained high school students who, upon entering college, can successfully complete undergraduate, and graduate or professional degrees in the health professions and public health
- Introduce a program of college courses to prepare the students to pursue advanced studies toward public health and epidemiology
- Involve the students in hands-on experiences to create interest in public health careers
- Provide basic epidemiology backgrounds for health care professionals
Summer Programs
SLAM Program
The SLAM program’s goal is to provide a large pool of well-trained high school students who, upon entering college, can successfully complete the curriculum requirements at an undergraduate college and have the necessary background and interest to pursue careers related to cardiovascular disease. Tougaloo College’s summer workshops are designed to provide excellent preparation for success in higher studies and to pursue advanced degrees in health professions.
To learn more about SLAM or to apply for the SLAM Program, please visit our SLAM webpage: https://www.tougaloo.edu/academics/programs/slam-workshops
Scholars Program
The Scholars Program provides undergraduate students at Tougaloo College with opportunities to learn about careers in public health and other health disciplines. The Scholars Program provides students with intensive reading and math prep so that they are more prepared for graduate and professional school entrance exams, such as the MCAT and GRE. Scholars also conduct research and participate in hands-on training under the mentorship of experienced researchers. Students who meet the requirements of the Scholars Program also earn a monthly stipend. Jackson Heart Study Scholars application
Contact Information
We are here to help you. Feel free to call, email, visit, or write the Jackson Heart Study.
Wendy White, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator
601-977-7831
wwhite@tougaloo.eduAsoka Srinivasan, Ph.D.
Budget Advisor
601-977-7736
asrinivasan@tougaloo.eduBeverly Kelly
Senior Office Manager
601-977-7820
bkelly@tougaloo.eduBeverly Thomas
Senior Tracking Manager
601-977-7816
bthomas@tougaloo.eduKisa Harris, MPH
Biostatistics/Epidemiology Instructor-Researcher
601-977-7754
kkharris1@tougaloo.eduAmel Mohamed, MPH
Student Coordinator/Epidemiologist
601-977-7781
aemohamed@tougaloo.eduMailing Address:
Tougaloo College
Jackson Heart Study
500 West County Line Road
Tougaloo, MS 39174