Virginia Commonwealth University IMSD Program (VCU-IMSD)

描述（由申请人提供）：弗吉尼亚联邦大学（VCU） IMSD项目是由一项自我研究提出的，该研究表明，相当比例的未被充分代表的少数民族（URM） VCU生物学专业的本科生和生物医学科学的博士生在他们的学术课程中表现不佳。虽然超过1/3的VCU大一和大二生物专业的学生是URM，但其中约40%的人因为在看门人课程上表现不佳而退出了生物专业。VCU医学院（SOM）博士研究生的入学和毕业率与全国平均水平相当，但这些人需要更长的时间才能毕业，而且生产力较低（第一篇和合著论文较少）。为了解决这些差异，我们提出了一个两阶段的综合研究和教育计划，旨在为URM的本科生和博士生提供理论背景，技术技能，批判性思维/解决问题的能力，信心和决心，这些都是在研究事业中取得成功所必需的。VCU IMSD项目利用现有资源，建立在现有成功模式的基础上，并结合新的策略来干预“有风险”的学生。VCU IMSD的本科阶段将针对16名有才华的生物学学生参加一个项目，该项目提供(a)高度结构化的课程，旨在逐步向学生介绍生物医学研究的基本概念，(b)早期和密集的指导研究经验，然后是2年的独立研究项目，(c)志同道合的学者组成的“学习社区”。旨在为IMSD的学生提供一个持续学习和个人/专业发展的氛围，以及(d)各种丰富的活动，提供练习口头和书面表达技能的机会，为研究生院申请提供咨询，并发展在标准化考试中取得成功所需的技能。IMSD计划的博士阶段将招收两名IMSD Predocs/年，他们将参加(a)“预科”暑期课程，提供批判性科学思维和基础生物化学，细胞和分子生物学课程以及高度指导的研究经验；(b)减少课程负担，提供在两年课程中完成博士课程第一年的选择。(c)丰富活动，强调批判性思维/解决问题能力的发展，提供发展沟通技巧的机会，并提供旨在建立信心，建立自我效能和促进独立性的网络机会，这是在研究中取得成果所必需的。我们坚信，VCU IMSD计划不仅将确保IMSD支持的学生的承诺和完成生物医学科学博士学位，而且IMSD学生的热情和激情将影响他们不支持的同龄人，并激发他们对生物医学研究的兴趣。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) IMSD program as prompted by a self-study which indicated that significant percentages of underrepresented minority (URM) VCU undergraduate Biology majors and PhD students in the biomedical sciences are underperforming in their academic programs. Although more than 1/3 of VCU freshman and sophomore Biology majors are URM, ~40% of these individuals drop out of the Biology major due to poor performance in gatekeeper courses. The VCU School of Medicine (SOM) matriculates and graduates PhD students at rates that are comparable to the national average, but these individuals take longer to graduate and are less productive (fewer first and co-author papers) than are their majority peers. To address these disparities, we propose a two-phase, comprehensive research and education program intended to provide URM undergraduate and PhD students with the theoretical background, technical skills, critical thinking/ problem solving abilities, confidence, and determination necessary to succeed in careers in research. The VCU IMSD program takes advantage of existing resources, builds on existing successful models, and incorporates novel strategies to intervene with "at risk" students. The undergraduate phase of VCU IMSD will target 16 talented Biology students for participation in a program that provides (a) highly-structured courses intended to incrementally introduce students to basic concepts in biomedical research, (b) an early and intensive mentored research experience followed by a 2-year independent research project, (c) a "Learning Community" of like-minded scholars, intended to envelope IMSD Scholars in a atmosphere of continuous learning and personal/ professional development, and (d) a variety of enrichment activities providing opportunities to practice oral and written presentation skills, counseling in preparation of graduate school applications, and development of skills sets necessary for success on standardized exams. The PhD phase of the IMSD program will be admit two IMSD Predocs/ year who will participate in (a) a "pre-matriculation" summer program that provides courses in Critical Scientific Thinking and basic Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology and a highly mentored research experience, (b) a reduced course load that offers the option of completing the first year of PhD courses over the course of two years, and (c) enrichment activities that stress the development of critical thinking/ problem solving capacities, offer opportunities to develop communications skills, and provide networking opportunities intended to build confidence, establish self- efficacy, and promote the independence that is necessary to be productive in research. We strongly believe that the VCU IMSD program will not only ensure IMSD-supported students' commitment and completion of the PhD in biomedical sciences but that the enthusiasm and passion of IMSD students will impact on their non- supported peers and spark their interest in biomedical research as well. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The future of medicine depends on biomedical research and the new discoveries that research brings to disease mechanisms. However, disparities exist, not only in healthcare and disease but also in the researchers who push biomedicine forward. The VCU-IMSD program is intended to address this disparity by increasing the number of underrepresented minorities who pursue PhD level training in biomedical research.