SSU MARC U-STAR Program

描述（由申请人提供）：SSU正在提交MARC U-STAR提案，以增加其发送给生物医学/行为科学博士项目的未被充分代表的少数民族（URM）学生的数量，从2人/年的基线水平增加到6人/年。自从2002年SSU的最后一个MARC项目获得资助以来，SSU通过新的培训项目和实验室的改进大大加强了其研究基础设施。然而，目前没有一个项目有生物医学/行为科学博士学位的准备重点。SSU MARC项目将以这些项目的成果为基础，提供有针对性的重点。MARC项目的具体目标是：1)实施和维持一个示范性的生物医学/行为科学博士学位准备项目；2)通过实施MARC前培训活动，加强SSU的研究和教育培训基础设施，旨在将MARC前URM荣誉池的规模扩大一倍（以GPA达到3.25或更高的大二学生数量为衡量标准），从目前的16名大二学生的基线增加到MARC项目结束时的30名；3)通过为教师提供专业发展，加强学校的教学和科研培训能力。SSU MARC项目将支持28名初级/高级学员（1年级4名，2年级10名，3-5年级12名）参加为期两年的严格培训计划，指导研究和生产力，包括会议演讲和合作出版。MARC的学员将从5个学科中抽取：生物、化学、海洋科学、数学和行为分析。在5年的任期内，22名MARC学员将获得学士学位，其中至少80%（18人）预计将在现有的2年/年的基础上进入博士课程（4人/年），新的组合总数为6人/年（目标影响）。该项目将通过鼓励、增加和维持他们参与培训研讨会、与外部研究人员和博士候选人的科学讨论会以及夏季研究（广泛的机构影响）来扩大marc前荣誉的范围。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、开展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的提案是一个精心设计的、有凝聚力的项目，具有确保长期成功所需的要素：承诺的项目领导和机构支持，依赖SSU最强大的研究导师，与外部合作者的持续接触，健全的学生选拔过程，包括更高的GPA（3.25）和动机筛选工具的使用，与SSU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，研究和赞助项目副总裁，董事会杰出生物学教授，以及NSF总统导师奖获得者。PI Chetty将得到3名教师项目协调员，1名全职项目经理/数据库经理以及20名SSU导师的支持，他们与外部研究合作者/导师密切合作。

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.