The P. Darwin Bell, PhD Legacy Research Scholar Program (Bell Legacy Scholars) is a prestigious award offered to up to 3 UAB undergraduate scholars working yearround in a laboratory focused on kidney-relevant research.
Students must also complete the UAB KUH KURE Program on a kidney-relevant project that directly impacts the understanding of cardio-renal physiology and nephrology.
Objective
To promote Cardio-Renal Physiology & Medicine and Nephrology research
Eligibility
Current matriculating UAB undergraduate students in good standing with a minimum GPA of 3.3 and a minimum of 1 year remaining until graduation. Competitive candidates would have interests in kidney and cardiorenal research in their future career goals.
Applications open for 2027 Bell Legacy Cohort
Summer and Year-round Engagements
Summer 2027 full-time research experience
- Full-time summer research experience through UAB KURE program in a CRPM or other kidney research lab
- $4500 stipend + housing (if needed)
- Poster Presentation at one or more UAB Expos
- Oral Presentation at UAB’s KUH KURE Symposium
Year-Round Program
Spring 2027 and Fall 2027
- Complete two semesters of research credit in a kidney research lab before and after completion of the summer program
- $1000/Semester Stipend
- Bi-Monthly cohort meetings, including:
- Professional development topics
- Works in Progress Presentations,
- Journal discussions and/or current topics in science
- $500 Travel Award to present first author abstract at scientific conference
2026 – 2027 Bell Legacy Scholars
Ruihuang Ding | Mentor: Dr. Jack Song
“Inducing Acute Kidney Injuries (AKI) in Human Kidney Organoids to Model Neonate AKI”
Abhai Anand | Mentor: Dr. Palaniappan Sethu
“Modeling CKD-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction Using Human Cardiac Organoids”
Stephan Havyrylak | Mentor: Dr. Timmy Lee
"Cardiac Remodeling and Mitochondrial Adaptation After Arteriovenous Fistula Creation”
Got more questions? Reach out and let's talk.
Rena Becker, MA, Training Program Manager
Kidney and KUH Scholar Programming