This summer, IPR will offer its fourth summer research assistant program for undergraduates. The purpose of the program is to increase the involvement of undergraduates in research at IPR and give undergraduates research experience and the opportunity to work closely with faculty.

Many of the participants continue to work with faculty during the following school year and some write honors theses on policy-relevant topics.

The 12-week paid program includes a weeklong course in statistical computing for social sciences.

Jamie Baim, a senior studying economics through the Mathematical Methods in Social Sciences program, worked with economist Burton Weisbrod last summer. Baim is investigating behavioral differences among for-profit, nonprofit, and governmental hospitals in their use of autopsies as a research instrument and as part of medical education. Baim has continued her research into the school year.

A typical day for Baim included running regressions and performing econometric analysis, which she said she learned through the computer training course. Baim said the training sharpened her critical and strategic thinking skills. She also benefited from the relationship with Weisbrod, an IPR faculty fellow.

“Professor Weisbrod is amazing,” she said. “He wants you to learn throughout the process. He was really a mentor.”

Erica Sitkoff, a senior, worked with Leonard Rubinowitz (IPR-Law) last summer on research related to his work on the families who moved out of Chicago public housing as part of the Gautreaux program. Sitkoff also did research onCabrini Green.

“The research I did provided im-portant background for the research I’m doing for my senior thesis,” she said.

Students interested in the program should apply directly to IPR faculty fellows and faculty associates. Applications for the program will be accepted until May 20, but IPR began selections on April 15.