Meet Our Trainees
Our trainees are the heart of our educational mission, bringing fresh perspectives and dedication to the work of violence prevention. The VPC proudly supports trainees at all levels, from undergraduate students to postdoctoral fellows, each of whom plays a vital role in advancing our research and community impact.
postdoctoral Fellows
Postdoctoral fellowships provide career development opportunities for talented early career scholars to spend dedicated time pursuing their research on health disparities and violence prevention with access to the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center resources. The Center aims to give fellows a hub where they have the time, space, and resources to pursue research related to violence prevention; opportunities to engage with scholars at UNC Charlotte and community partners, a community where they can learn from one another; and opportunities to contribute to the mission and vision of the UNC Charlotte Violence Prevention Center.
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Graduate Students
Graduate students are integral to our projects, applying their skills in research methods, program evaluation, and data analysis. As they work closely with VPC faculty and community stakeholders, they gain practical experience and insight into program development and the complexities of implementing violence prevention strategies. Their work supports both the academic and community-facing goals of the VPC.
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UNDERgraduate Students
Research Experience for Accelerating Careers in Health Care (REACH)
The VPC offers REACH, a summer program that gives students hands-on immersion in violence prevention research and practice, developed in partnership with Atrium Health/Advocate Health. This eight-week paid research experience is for undergraduate students to explore and gain experience with careers in healthcare and health equity via direct mentorship and engagement with successful medical professionals.
Scholars are paired with VPC faculty and research teams for direct experience across active projects, gaining training in research design, data analysis, and community-based practice.
Scholars will:
- Shadow faculty and research staff on active studies in violence prevention
- Participate in professional development sessions on research and community-based practice
- Contribute directly to ongoing research projects
- Build mentoring relationships with VPC faculty and staff
- Engage with Atrium Health/Advocate Health professionals on how violence prevention connects to health care delivery
2026 Summer Scholars
Mariana Kassoma, Johnson C. Smith University
Amontae Wray, Johnson C. Smith University
Trainee Application Process
The VPC seeks to be a catalyst for change in violence prevention. As a multidisciplinary hub, we leverage diverse expertise and collaborate widely to create evidence-based strategies that address and reduce violence. Our Center is rooted in the belief that all communities deserve safety, equity, and resilience, and we work diligently to turn this vision into reality.
Trainees play an important role in advancing violence prevention scholarship. The VPC values the fresh perspectives and ideas that students and early-career scholars bring to this work. Training the next generation of violence prevention researchers is central to our mission. We support undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows in developing the knowledge and skills needed to understand, study, and address violence prevention.
Why Join the VPC?
The VPC offers trainees opportunities to:
- Contribute to initiatives that promote violence prevention
- Engage in innovative, interdisciplinary research
- Strengthen writing and communication skills
- Build professional connections with leaders in violence prevention
- Receive mentorship from experienced faculty and community partners
How to Apply
Applicants should submit the following materials:
- A brief letter of interest describing your background, research interests, and reasons for seeking affiliation with the VPC
- The name and contact information of a UNC Charlotte VPC-affiliated reference
- The names of up to three VPC-affiliated faculty members you are interested in working with as a trainee
- Your current CV or résumé
Application materials should be sent to lpousa@charlotte.edu.