UTSA MARC U*STAR Research Training Program

描述（由申请人提供）：德克萨斯大学圣安东尼奥分校（UTSA）请求NIH/NIGMS支持继续其成功的MARC U* 星星研究准备计划。该计划的总体目标是培养特殊的代表性不足的少数民族本科研究人员，他们成功地进入高度选择性的博士培训课程，并在生物医学和行为科学领域从事研究工作。自UTSA MARC计划成立以来的30年中，改进已将博士生入学率提高到约50%（2006年至今）。这一比率几乎是十年前的两倍。质量非常高，因为23名前学员目前正在攻读着名的博士课程（87%在T32机构）。凭借出色的，完善的MARC培训活动和与几个特殊的博士培训项目的牢固关系，UTSA MARC计划现在处于有利地位，可以将其影响扩大到更多的UTSA本科生，其中52%来自生物医学和行为科学中代表性不足的人群。拟议中的新MARC U* 星星计划将继续为MARC学员提供出色的学术和研究培训，但也将吸引理学院（COS），工程学院（COE）和文科和美术学院（COLFA）的非MARC本科生，以及访问UTSA校园的高中学生，以扩大对研究职业感兴趣的学生群体。中心假设是，通过启动，完善和制度化成功的MARC U* 星星干预措施，并通过提供课程和课程的增强，信息和创新的入门级研究培训机会，为非MARC学生，计划的影响将扩大和博士课程录取率URM学生将增加在UTSA。计划目标将通过实现三个具体目标来实现：1）为MARC U* 星星学员加强现有的和实施新的发展活动; 2）促进和发展UTSA的入门级研究教育和研究培训经验; 3）修订或开发UTSA本科生的学术相关活动，课程和课程，以提高他们的定量技能和博士教育的准备。为实现具体目标，将开展一系列有效和创新的活动，每项活动都有可衡量的目标，用于评估进展和成效。拟议的培训计划是创新的，因为它采用了研究指导以外的各种方法，以发展和促进本科生生物医学和行为研究，并在UTSA追求博士教育。总体而言，UTSA MARC U* 星星计划致力于实现增加进入并完成博士教育的URM学生数量的长期目标，并在生物医学和行为科学领域推出回报丰厚的职业生涯。 公共卫生相关性：科学研究的突破总是先于医疗和公共卫生的改善。提供资金招募和培训未来科学家的多元化劳动力将发展一个强大的科学界，以解决国家健康问题，包括那些不成比例地影响少数民族人口的问题。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) requests NIH/NIGMS support to continue its successful MARC U*STAR Research Preparedness Program. The overall goal of the program is to develop exceptional underrepresented minority undergraduate researchers who successfully matriculate into highly selective doctoral training programs and pursue research careers in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. In 30 years since the UTSA MARC program inception, refinements have increased doctoral trainee matriculation rates to ~50% (2006-present). This rate is practically double what it was just ten years ago. Quality is very high as 23 former trainees are currently in prestigious doctoral programs (87% at T32 institutions). With excellent, well-established MARC training activities and strong relationships with several exceptional doctoral training programs, the UTSA MARC program is now in an opportune position to expand its impact to a much greater number of UTSA's undergraduate students, 52% of whom come from populations underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. The proposed new MARC U*STAR program will continue to provide outstanding academic and research training to MARC trainees, but will also engage non-MARC undergraduates in the College of Science (COS), College of Engineering (COE), and College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA), as well as High School students visiting the UTSA campus to expand the pool of students interested in research careers. The central hypothesis is that by initiating, refining and institutionalizing successful MARC U*STAR interventions, and by providing curricular and course enhancements, information, and innovative entry-level research training opportunities for non-MARC students, program impact will be broadened and doctoral program matriculation rates of URM students will increase at UTSA. Program goals will be accomplished through achieving three specific aims: 1) enhance existing and implement new developmental activities for MARC U*STAR trainees; 2) promote and develop entry-level research education and research training experiences at UTSA; and 3) revise or develop academic-related activities, curriculum and coursework for UTSA undergraduates, to enhance their quantitative skills and preparation for doctoral education. An array of effective and innovative activities will be implemented to achieve the specific aims, each with measurable objectives that will be used to assess progress and effectiveness. The proposed training plan is innovative because it employs a variety of approaches beyond research mentoring to develop and promote undergraduate biomedical and behavioral research, and pursuit of doctoral education, at UTSA. Overall, the UTSA MARC U*STAR program is dedicated to accomplishing the long-term goal of increasing the number of URM students who enter and complete doctoral education, and launch rewarding careers in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Breakthroughs in scientific research always precede improvements in medical treatment and public health. Providing funding to recruit and train a diverse work force of future scientists will develop a robust scientific community poised to address the nation health concerns, including those who disproportionately affect minority populations.