Tougaloo College has a long history of producing graduates who have gone on to PhD program and to careers in research. The science division of the college has several programs such as the Minority Access to Research Careers program, Minority Biomedical Research Support program, the Alliance for Minority Progress program and the Jackson Heart Study Undergraduate Training Program that provide excellent research opportunities for our students. Between these programs we can provide research training experience for 25 students every year. However, we do not have enough faculty involved in research with whom the students can work. At present the students gain their experience off campus. We are convinced that our students will benefit even more if more of our faculty were involved in research. This EARDA FRESP/Phase II proposal will enable Tougaloo College to continue the task start under Phase I of increasing the number of faculty members involved in research. During the past three and a half years the PI Asoka Srinivasan's focus has been on underscoring the importance of faculty involvement in research, informing them of funding opportunities and improving t infrastructure in the preparation and submission of proposals. The objectives during Phase II will be to continue the efforts started under phase I and to focus more sharply the efforts to involve the faculty in research by funding 2 pilot research study awards per year and to formalize the establishment of the Office of Research Development. We expect at least 50 percent of the faculty receiving the pilot research study awards to be successful in obtaining research grants.
