UTSA MARC U*STAR PROGRAM

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EXCEED THE SPACE PROVIDED. The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) requests NIH/NIGMS support to continue its successful Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Program, now named the MARC Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (MARC U*STAR) Program. The new UTSA MARC U*STAR Program will include enhanced and new student development activities designed to improve the academic and research preparedness of underrepresented minority students to enter and complete advanced (Ph.D. or combined professional/Ph.D.) degrees leading to research careers in the biomedical sciences. The main goal of the UTSA MARC U*STAR Program is to significantly increase the number and rate ofUTSA underrepresented minority students entering and completing advanced (Ph.D. or combined professional/Ph.D.) degree programs in the biomedical sciences. This goal will be accomplished by implementing (1) enhanced intramural and extramural research training experiences, (2) enhanced and new research career and professional development activities, (3) enhanced MARC U*STAR curriculum and academic enrichment activities, and (4) development of a new Pre-MARC U*STAR Program designed to attract, nurture, and encourage talented freshman and sophomore underrepresented minority students to pursue biomedical research careers. It is expected that these activities will significantly increase the academic standing of UTSA underrepresented minority students, promote their interest in biomedical research, and expand the pool of competitive minority students electing to pursue advanced (Ph.D. or combined professional/Ph.D.) degrees leading to biomedicalresearch careers. The hypothesis to be tested is that proactive mentoring, guidance, nurturing, and academic and research training and support, will signficantly increase the number of UTSA underrepresented minority students electing to pursue advanced degrees and biomedical research careers. The UTSA, with quality students, faculty, and academic and research programs and facilities, is ready and eager to undertake this challenge. PERFORMANCE SITE ========================================Section End===========================================