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  1. FDA STEM Outreach, Education and Engagement

JIFSAN Undergraduate Internship

The Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN)

The Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN) was established between the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the University of Maryland , College Park (UMD) in 1996. JIFSAN fosters the missions of FDA and UMD through the creation of partnerships to increase the quantity and quality of research, which will provide the basis for sound public health policy. It promotes food safety, human nutrition, and animal health and production through integrated research, education, and outreach programs. Opportunities exist for collaborative projects with Federal and state agencies, private industry, consumer and trade groups, and international organizations with mutual interests. Additionally, JIFSAN’s undergraduate internship program supports the science and research programs at CFSAN.

JIFSAN Undergraduate Student Internship Program

JIFSAN’s student internship program is designed to provide UMD undergraduate students with an opportunity to collaborate with FDA scientists on specific research projects related to the JIFSAN mission. These research opportunities enhance the students’ knowledge, skills, and experience in science, particularly in a regulatory environment and expose the students to career opportunities in the food industry as well as providing mentorship and networking opportunities.

As way of background, as a jointly administered program, the FDA is responsible for the selection of the projects based on internal criteria and the benefit to both the FDA and JIFSAN missions. The internship program has typically focused on laboratory-based projects; however, it has been expanded to include non-laboratory projects, such as data analysis for policy making. This provides internship opportunities to students from a wider variety of academic backgrounds. Through the internships, students help CFSAN to complete its strategic goals and the students learn about food safety research, career pathways, project management skills and are exposed to CFSAN’s regulatory programs. Many interns have been co-authors on peer reviewed publications and conference posters as well as authors on guidance documents that aid CFSAN in compliance, and other regulatory, activities.

Students wishing to apply to the JIFSAN undergraduate internship program must be registered , full-time UMD undergraduates and have completed two college semesters. The new intern cohorts start in May and end the following May of the next year. For more details on the JIFSAN undergraduate program, please access the follow link on the Senior Science Advisors, Office of the Center Director Liaisons, Partnerships and Centers of Excellence SharePoint site : Liaisons, Partnerships and Centers of Excellence (sharepoint.com) and click on “Click here to access the JIFSAN Internship page “ Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN) (sharepoint.com). You can also link directly to the JIFSAN UMD site About Internship Program - JIFSAN (umd.edu)

 
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