The University of Miami's (UM) IMSD program will have three broad impacts: 1) increase the number of underrepresented (UR) students who graduate with a Ph.D. in biomedical/behavioral-related disciplines;2) reduce differences in Ph.D. completion rates between URs and non-URs in those disciplines while increasing the overall rate;and 3) increase the number of UR Ph.D.s who enter competitive post-doctoral or faculty positions. For IMSD undergraduate scholars, our three goals are to increase their academic competitiveness, stimulate and sustain their interest in research, and increase the numbers who enter Ph.D. programs. A series of emerging scholars workshops in gate-keeper courses will improve academic performance. Exposure to research early in the freshman year in innovative research-based labs, followed by a mix of intramural and extramural research experiences will engender interest in research. Gaining parental support through Family Science Sunday, an intensive two-part workshop on applying to graduate school, and mentoring by IMSD graduate fellows will encourage transition to graduate programs. For IMSD graduate fellows, our two goals are to foster their completion of the Ph.D. in six years and to ensure they are competitive for a post-doctoral or tenure-track faculty position. Close mentoring through bi-weekly meetings with the IMSD leadership team and special workshops for professional development will enable fellows to meet these goals. We actively will recruit undergraduates in all biomedical/behavioral-related majors from UM's Program in Integrated Science and Math, from Miami-Dade County high schools, and from the Miami Dade College-UM Bridge program. We will recruit graduate fellows from among IMSD undergraduate scholars, at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) and the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) conferences, and through faculty from minority-serving institutions assisting as """"""""talent scouts."""""""" An Institutional Advisory Committee and an external evaluator will advise the two co-program directors. Formative evaluation will comprise focus groups, questionnaires, and monitoring student progress. Summative evaluation will track graduation rates and numbers proceeding to Ph.D.s or post- doctoral/faculty positions. We will disseminate best practices through presentations, publications, and a webinar using Web 2.0 technology.

Public Health Relevance

The University of Miami IMSD Program is aimed at increasing the number of individuals from underrepresented groups who pursue Ph.D.s in the biomedical sciences. Undergraduate and graduate components provide research opportunities, enrichment, intergenerational mentoring, and professional development activities.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Education Projects (R25)
Project #
5R25GM076419-07
Application #
8610320
Study Section
Minority Programs Review Committee (MPRC)
Program Officer
Janes, Daniel E
Project Start
2006-05-01
Project End
2017-01-31
Budget Start
2014-02-01
Budget End
2015-01-31
Support Year
7
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$586,728
Indirect Cost
$65,569
Name
University of Miami Coral Gables
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
625174149
City
Coral Gables
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
33146
Ravi, Bhavya; Nassar, Layla M; Kopchock 3rd, Richard J et al. (2018) Ratiometric Calcium Imaging of Individual Neurons in Behaving Caenorhabditis Elegans. J Vis Exp :
Nguyen, Michelle A; Zahran, Elsayed M; Wilbon, Azaan S et al. (2016) Converting Light Energy to Chemical Energy: A New Catalytic Approach for Sustainable Environmental Remediation. ACS Omega 1:41-51
Salazar, Nicole; Muñoz, Daniel; Kallifatidis, Georgios et al. (2014) The chemokine receptor CXCR7 interacts with EGFR to promote breast cancer cell proliferation. Mol Cancer 13:198
Dias, Janice M; Ziebarth, Noël M (2013) Anterior and posterior corneal stroma elasticity assessed using nanoindentation. Exp Eye Res 115:41-6
Salazar, Nicole; Castellan, Miguel; Shirodkar, Samir S et al. (2013) Chemokines and chemokine receptors as promoters of prostate cancer growth and progression. Crit Rev Eukaryot Gene Expr 23:77-91
Ziebarth, Noël M; Dias, Janice; Hürmeriç, Volkan et al. (2013) Quality of corneal lamellar cuts quantified using atomic force microscopy. J Cataract Refract Surg 39:110-117
Dias, Janice; Diakonis, Vasilios F; Kankariya, Vardhaman P et al. (2013) Anterior and posterior corneal stroma elasticity after corneal collagen crosslinking treatment. Exp Eye Res 116:58-62
Ruiz, Juan P; Pelaez, Daniel; Dias, Janice et al. (2012) The effect of nicotine on the mechanical properties of mesenchymal stem cells. Cell Health Cytoskelet 4:29-35