Baccalaureate Bridge to the Biomedical Sciences (ACCESS) R25-GM051765 The University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) proposes to continue our training grant (which we have titled ?Baccalaureate Bridge to the Biomedical Sciences (ACCESS)?. This five-year grant renewal is for 2019-20 to 2023-24 AYs. It renews a consortium involving biomedical scientists at UCSC, the baccalaureate institution, engaged in a partnership with four Associate Degree (A.A.) institutions. Joining the research faculty from two different Science Divisions at UCSC are the AA partners from chemistry and biology at Cabrillo College (CC), Hartnell College (HC), Monterey Peninsula College (MPC), and Gavilan College (GC). The program Aims are: (1) To improve the success and confidence of underrepresented community college students through community college-based activities including Supplemental Instruction sessions and mentoring in introductory chemistry and biology courses. (2) To motivate first year community college science students through the Mini-Research Camp presented as a collaborative effort between Community College and UCSC faculty and staff. (3) To provide underrepresented students with a foundation of fundamental skills and experiences in an 8-week Summer Research Institute held at UCSC. (4) To link academic course work with pathways leading to careers in the biotechnical sciences. This will motivate ACCESS students to consider curriculum and degree choices relevant to becoming a biotech science professional vs. the obvious health professional career tracks known to most beginning college students. (5) To engage matriculated ACCESS students at UCSC as peer mentors and use existing UCSC STEM programs to enable their participation in academic year-based undergraduate biomedical research.
UCSC ACCESS PROPOSAL PROJECT NARRATIVE Baccalaureate Bridge to the Biomedical Sciences (ACCESS) R25-GM051765 The elements guiding this project will address a national goal which is to remedy the under- representation of minority and disadvantaged groups and individuals with disabilities in science. The mechanisms of this grant is to have UC Santa Cruz research/teaching faculty working alongside community college instructors as mentors for undergraduates who are still formulating their career choices and research directions. The plan for implementation includes improving success/confidence of underrepresented community college students, motivating students through the Mini-Research Camp presented as a collaborative effort between Community College and UCSC faculty and staff, providing research experiences via the 8-week Summer Research Institute, linking academic course work with pathways leading to careers in the biotechnical sciences and engaging ACCESS students at UCSC as peer mentors to enable their participation in academic year-based undergraduate biomedical research.
