University of Louisville Biomedical Integrative Opportunity for Mentored Experience Development -PREP (UL-BIOMED-PREP)

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Abstract There is strong evidence for a significant race and gender gap in academia, and first generation graduates face inequity in becoming tenured faculty. Moreover, Kentucky (KY) is a state with a large economically disadvantaged population, including first generation/rural graduates, who are underrepresented in STEM fields. A highly effective approach to remediating the paucity of diversity in STEM is to provide underrepresented students with the tools they need to apply to and succeed in graduate school. The goal of the University of Louisville (UofL) Biomedical Integrative Opportunity for Mentored Experience Development-PREP (UL-BIOMED- PREP) is to train the next generation of underrepresented scientists in STEM fields, including Medicine, Dentistry, Arts and Sciences, and Engineering. UL-BIOMED-PREP is a unique integrated education program among these four schools; it will provide students from Kentucky and surrounding areas who are underrepresented in the STEM fields with extensive mentored development and research opportunities in these disciplines with access to a large array of scientific projects, tailored courses designed to develop skills that will prepare students to successfully apply to and complete graduate school, and cohort-building activities geared toward building resiliency and developing critical thinking and life-long learning skills necessary for becoming a scientific leader. There are currently no PREP programs in Kentucky and this initiative aligns very well with the current strategic plan of UofL to pursue inclusiveness in education. Seven to eight UL-BIOMED-PREP scholars will be recruited from the UofL and regional programs/colleges geared to facilitate achievement of underrepresented students in STEM, with an emphasis on African American and Latino, first generation graduates and economically underserved students from both rural and urban areas in KY. A personal development plan will be developed for each scholar at the start of the program based on individual skills and needs, that will be re-evaluated regularly. An experienced research mentor will be chosen at the end of two laboratory rotations, a research committee assigned to evaluate monthly progress, and a student mentor assigned to provide personalized advising. UL-BIOMED-PREP scholars will present any program outcome regularly at regional/national meetings and via social media. In addition to courses designed to aid in the preparation of graduate school applications and complete graduate school, monthly career development activities will help foster an inclusive community, networking and help scholars develop confidence and a growth mindset. Internal and External Advisory Committees will regularly evaluate the program and provide ongoing feedback that will be used to improve the program. Upon program completion, UL-BIOMED-PREP scholars will possess improved research and analytical skills, a better understanding of graduate school expectations, and the resiliency and self-confidence to handle the challenging demands of graduate school. Our goal is to reach the target of 85% of UL-BIOMED-PREP scholars being admitted and completing graduate school.