The Duke Black or African-American Research Training Pathway to Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences (BAA-POCS), funded by The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders of the National Institutes of Health, provides a unique mentored research pathway for undergraduate students from Saint Augustine’s University and Bennett College. 

Selected students will undergo rigorous mentored research training, gain exposure to clinical care and community-based health engagement within Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences at Duke. Our goal is to inspire more underrepresented minority students to explore careers in these fields by offering early exposure and exceptional mentorship, helping shape the next generation of specialists in Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences.

Otolaryngology is a medical and surgical specialty focused on the diagnosis, management, and treatment of disorders affecting the ear, nose, throat (ENT), and related structures of the head and neck. This field covers a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to hearing loss, upper airway obstruction, sinusitis, sleep apnea, voice disorders, and head and neck cancers.

Communication Sciences include audiology and speech-language pathology. Audiology focuses on the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hearing and balance disorders. Speech-language pathology is a discipline dedicated to the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of communication and swallowing disorders.

The BAA-POCS program is specifically designed to provide participating undergraduate scholars with a 15-month in-depth mentored training experience in every subspecialty within Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences at Duke.

Participating scholars will begin the program in the Summer (Summer 1) with a 10-week immersive clinical observation and robust research training curriculum at Duke.

During the Fall and Spring semesters, scholars will be back at their home institution and will be provided protected time to continue their training in a hybrid setting with their mentoring team.

Scholars will complete the BAA-POCS program the following Summer (Summer 2) with another 10-week immersive curriculum at Duke that will involve continued research training, tailored clinical observation, and professional development activities.

BAA-POCS scholars receive:

• High-quality research mentoring from a diverse mentoring team
• Comprehensive exposure to every subspecialty within Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences at Duke.
• Help preparing an individualized development plan
• Information about options for advanced degree:  post-baccalaureate, graduate school or medical school
• Individualized support for preparing and applying to graduate school or medical school
• Professional development workshops on wellness, scientific writing, and time management
• Monthly stipend for the 15-month program duration
• Paid summer housing on Duke Campus during Summer 1 and Summer 2
• Paid travel expenses to present at a national meeting/conference
• Paid tuition for Fall and Spring semesters’ Independent Study course
• Near peer and peer-to-peer mentoring network support 
• Post BAA-POCS program support

BAA-POCS@duke.edu