Beginnings: Introducing Molecular Modeling Experiences to Underrepresented Students

分子建模在生物技术和药物发现中起着关键作用。为了促进这一领域的创新，生物技术公司必须拥有一支多样化和训练有素的员工队伍。扩大进入这一领域的途径之一是为来自代表性不足背景的本科生提供行业知识。学生边做边学的体验式学习机会是扩大这些群体参与的特别有效的方式，因为它提供了工业所需的技术技能。地方公共学术界和工业界之间的伙伴关系将通过为未来的科学家提供更好的培训来促进科学进步，并通过扩大合格的生物技术工作人员队伍来促进国民健康。该项目旨在使代表性不足的少数民族学生能够积极参与生物技术领域，并将其独特的观点摆在桌面上。通过使STEM劳动力多样化，目标是加强创新，培养创造力，并为全球问题制定更具包容性的解决方案。向未得到充分代表的学生介绍分子建模经验倡议（IMMERSE）旨在促进拉瓜迪亚社区学院和纽约市理工学院之间的跨部门伙伴关系，这两所学院都属于纽约系统;以及总部位于纽约市的生物技术行业分子建模软件领导者薛定谔。我们的目标是通过将行业驱动的问题纳入课堂，并随后参与薛定谔实习计划，然后导致专业的职业生涯，为本科生的分子建模职业做好准备。为了实现这一目标，项目小组将以多阶段的方式提供体验式学习。首先，在课堂上，学生将被教导与生物技术相关的分子建模概念。第二，将提供实践培训，以说明如何使用分子建模工具在一步一步的格式。第三，将提供在薛定谔的带薪实习机会，学生将在实践中学习，同时也致力于解决与行业相关的问题，使他们在就业市场上更具竞争力。预期的结果是训练有素和多样化的学生谁是装备精良的职业生涯在计算生物技术。该项目与由NSF TIP和EDU董事会资助的NSF ExLENT计划保持一致，因为它旨在为来自不同专业和教育背景的个人提供体验式学习机会，以增加他们对以下内容的兴趣和访问：该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值进行评估，被认为值得支持和更广泛的影响审查标准。

Molecular modeling plays a pivotal role in biotechnology and drug discovery. To foster innovation in this field, it is crucial for biotechnology companies to have a diverse and well-trained workforce. One way to expand access to this field is by equipping undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds with industry-level knowledge. Experiential learning opportunities, in which students learn-by-doing, is a particularly effective way to broaden participation of these groups because it provides technical skills needed by industry. A partnership between local public academia and industry will promote the progress of science by providing better training to future scientists and advance national health by broadening the pool of well-qualified biotechnology workforce members. This project aims to empower underrepresented minority students to actively participate in the biotechnology field and bring their unique perspectives to the table. By diversifying the STEM workforce, the goals are to enhance innovation, foster creativity, and develop more inclusive solutions to global problems.The initiative Introducing Molecular Modeling Experiences to underRepresented StudEnts (IMMERSE) aims to promote a cross-sector partnership between LaGuardia Community College and the New York City College of Technology, both of the City University of New York (CUNY) system; and Schrödinger, a biotechnology industry leader in molecular modeling software, headquartered in New York City. The goal is to prepare undergraduate students for molecular modeling careers by incorporating industry-driven problems to the classroom, and subsequent participation in a Schrödinger internship program, that then leads to specialized careers. To achieve this goal, the project team will provide experiential learning in a multistage approach. First, in the classroom, students will be taught molecular modeling concepts relevant to biotechnology. Second, hands-on training will be provided to illustrate how to use the molecular modeling tools in a step-by-step format. Third, paid internship opportunities at Schrödinger will be provided, where students will learn-by-doing, while also working on industry-relevant problems that will make them more competitive in the job market. The expected outcome is highly trained and diverse students who are well-equipped for a career in computational biotechnology. This project aligns with the NSF ExLENT Program, funded by the NSF TIP and EDU Directorates, as it seeks to support experiential learning opportunities for individuals from diverse professional and educational backgrounds to increase their interest in, and their access to, career pathways in emerging technology fields.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.