SSU MARC U-STAR Program

描述(由申请者提供)：SSU正在提交这份MARC U-STAR建议，将其送往生物医学/行为科学博士课程的未被充分代表的少数族裔(URM)学生的数量从2/年的基线水平增加到6/年。自从SSU上一次MARC计划于2002年获得资助以来，SSU通过重大的新培训计划和实验室增强显著地加强了其研究基础设施。然而，目前的项目都没有侧重于生物医学/行为科学博士学位的准备。SSU MARC计划将建立在这些计划的成就基础上，并提供有针对性的重点。MARC计划的具体目标是：1)实施并维持模范荣誉生物医学/行为科学博士预备计划；2)通过实施MARC前培训活动来加强SSU的研究和教育培训基础设施，旨在将MARC前URM荣誉池的规模(以3.25 GPA或更高的大二学生数量衡量)翻一番，从目前的16名大二学生的基线到MARC计划结束时的30名；以及3)通过为教师提供专业发展来加强教学和研究培训的机构能力。SSU MARC项目将支持28名初级/高级学员(一年级4名，二年级10名，3-5年级12名)参加为期两年的严格培训计划，内容包括指导研究和生产力，包括会议演讲和联合发表。MARC学员将来自5个学科：生物学、化学、海洋科学、数学和行为分析。在为期5年的时间里，22名MARC学员将获得理科学士学位，其中至少80%(18名)预计将在现有2/年的基础上再进入博士项目(4/年)，新的合并总数为6/年(目标影响)。该计划将通过鼓励、增加和保持他们参与培训研讨会、与外部研究人员和博士生的科学讨论会以及夏季研究(广泛的机构影响)来扩大MARC前荣誉库。该计划将提供教师研讨会，以加强教师在指导、教授批判性思维技能、进行基于探究的学习和教学研究培训方面的技能，包括负责任的研究行为(RCR)培训(广泛的机构影响)。SSU的建议是一个精心设计的、具有凝聚力的项目，具有确保长期成功所需的要素：坚定的项目领导和机构支持、对SSU最强大的研究指导人员的依赖、与外部合作者的持续接触、包括较高GPA(3.25)在内的合理的学生选择过程和动机筛选工具的使用，与SSU的其他培训项目的协同作用，以及严格的项目评估过程。PI是Chellu Chetty博士，研究和赞助项目副副总裁，董事生物学特聘教授，NSF总统导师奖获得者。PiChetty将由3名教员项目协调员、1名全职项目经理/数据库经理和一支由20名SSU讲师组成的干部团队提供支持，他们与外部研究合作者/导师密切合作。 公共卫生相关性：SSU MARC U-STAR提案旨在通过实施荣誉少数族裔(URM)博士准备研究培训计划，将其送往生物医学/行为学博士项目的人数增加两倍。该节目具有较高的公共卫生针对性和意义。正如NSF所引用的那样，尽管城市居民占人口的29%，但他们在理科博士学位获得者中所占的比例不到10%。鉴于种族/族裔少数群体的疾病负担不成比例，以及疾病发病机制和管理涉及的独特社会文化问题，增加生物医学研究队伍中训练有素的少数群体健康科学家的数量至关重要。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): SSU is submitting this MARC U-STAR proposal to increase the number of underrepresented minority (URM) students it sends to Ph.D. biomedical/behavioral science programs from the baseline level of 2/year to 6/year. Since SSU's last MARC program was funded in 2002, SSU has significantly strengthened its research infrastructure with major new training programs and lab enhancements. However, none of the current programs has a biomedical/behavioral science Ph.D. preparation focus. The SSU MARC program will build on these programs' achievements and provide this targeted focus. The MARC program specific aims are to: 1) implement and sustain a model Honors biomedical/behavioral science Ph.D. preparation program, 2) strengthen SSU's research and education training infrastructure by implementing pre-MARC training activities designed to double the size of the pre-MARC URM Honors pool (as measured by the number of sophomores who are performing at a 3.25 GPA or higher) from the current baseline of 16 sophomores to 30 by the end of the MARC program, and 3) strengthen the institutional capacity for teaching and research training by providing professional development for the faculty. The SSU MARC program will support 28 junior/senior trainees (4 in year 1, 10 in year 2, and 12 in years 3-5) in a rigorous 2-year training program of mentored research and productivity, including conference presentations and co-publication. MARC trainees will be drawn from 5 academic disciplines: biology, chemistry, marine science, math, and behavior analysis. Over the 5 year term, 22 MARC trainees will earn BS degrees and at least 80% of these (18) are expected to enter Ph.D. programs (4/year) on top of the existing 2/year, for a new combined total of 6/year (targeted impact). The program will expand the pre-MARC Honors pool by encouraging, increasing and sustaining their participation in training workshops, scientific colloquia with external researchers and Ph.D. candidates, and summer research (broad institutional impact). The program will provide faculty workshops to strengthen the faculty's skills in mentoring, teaching critical thinking skills, conducting inquiry based learning, and teaching research training, including responsible conduct of research (RCR) training (broad institutional impact). The SSU proposal is a well- designed, cohesive program with the required elements to assure long-term success: committed program leadership and institutional support, reliance on SSU's strongest research preceptors, continuous engagement with external collaborators, sound student selection process including higher GPA (3.25) and use of a motivation screening instrument, synergy with SSU's other training programs, and a rigorous program evaluation process. The PI is Dr. Chellu Chetty, Associate VP, Research and Sponsored Programs, Regents Distinguished Professor of Biology, and a recipient of the NSF Presidential Award for Mentorship. PI Chetty will be supported by 3 faculty program coordinators, a full-time Program Manager/Database Manager, and a cadre of 20 SSU preceptors working in close partnership with external research collaborators/mentors. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The SSU MARC U-STAR proposal aims to triple the number of underrepresented minority (URM) students it sends to biomedical/behavioral Ph.D. programs, by implementing an Honors URM Ph.D. preparation research training program. This program has high public health relevance and significance. As cited by NSF, though URMs are 29% of the population, they represent less than 10% of the science Ph.D. degree recipients. Given the disproportionate burden of disease among racial/ethnic minorities and the unique socio-cultural issues involved in disease pathogenesis and management, increasing the number of trained minority health scientists in the biomedical research work force is critical.