SSU MARC U-STAR Program

描述（由申请人提供）：SSU正在提交这个MARC U-STAR提案，以增加代表性不足的少数民族（URM）学生的数量，它发送到博士。生物医学/行为科学课程从2/年的基线水平增加到6/年。自从SSU的最后一个MARC计划于2002年获得资助以来，SSU已经通过主要的新培训计划和实验室改进显着加强了其研究基础设施。然而，目前没有一个项目拥有生物医学/行为科学博士学位。准备重点。SSU MARC计划将建立在这些计划的成就之上，并提供有针对性的重点。MARC计划的具体目标是：1）实施和维持一个模型荣誉生物医学/行为科学博士。准备计划，2）通过实施旨在使MARC前URM荣誉池规模翻一番的MARC前培训活动，加强SSU的研究和教育培训基础设施（以平均绩点3.25或更高的学生人数来衡量）从目前的16名学生的基线到MARC计划结束时的30名，以及3）通过为教师提供专业发展，加强教学和研究培训的机构能力。SSU MARC计划将支持28名初级/高级学员（第1年4名，第2年10名，第3-5年12名）参加为期2年的严格的指导研究和生产力培训计划，包括会议演示和联合出版。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5年的任期内，22名MARC学员将获得学士学位，其中至少80%（18名）有望进入博士学位。在现有的每年2个方案的基础上，增加方案（每年4个），使新的合并总数达到每年6个（目标影响）。该计划将通过鼓励，增加和维持他们参与培训研讨会，与外部研究人员和博士的科学座谈会，扩大前MARC荣誉池。候选人和夏季研究（广泛的机构影响）。该计划将提供教师研讨会，以加强教师在指导，教学批判性思维技能，进行基于探究的学习和教学研究培训，包括负责任的研究行为（RCR）培训（广泛的机构影响）的技能。SSU提案是一个精心设计的、有凝聚力的计划，具有确保长期成功所需的要素：致力于项目领导和机构支持，依靠SSU最强的研究导师，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）和使用动机筛选工具，与SSU的其他培训计划的协同作用，以及严格的计划评估过程。PI是Chellu Chetty博士，研究和赞助项目副总裁，生物学摄政杰出教授，以及NSF总统导师奖的获得者。PI Chetty将由3名教师项目协调员，一名全职项目经理/数据库经理和20名SSU导师组成的干部与外部研究合作者/导师密切合作。 公共卫生相关性：SSU MARC U-STAR提案旨在将其发送到生物医学/行为博士的代表性不足的少数民族（URM）学生人数增加两倍。计划，通过实施荣誉URM博士学位。准备研究培训计划。该项目具有很高的公共卫生相关性和重要性。正如NSF所引用的那样，尽管URM占人口的29%，但他们只占科学博士的不到10%。学位获得者。鉴于少数种族/族裔的疾病负担不成比例，以及疾病发病机制和管理所涉及的独特社会文化问题，增加生物医学研究工作队伍中受过训练的少数群体卫生科学家的人数至关重要。

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.