Increased Training of Hispanic Neuroscientists at Michigan State University

描述（由申请人提供）：本R25的目标是增加在神经科学方面受过训练的西班牙裔博士的数量：特别是为了方便学生进入密歇根州立大学神经科学博士课程，并提高他们在该课程中成功的可能性。其核心是需要1)确定有潜力攻读神经科学博士学位的有才华的学生；2)向他们介绍神经科学领域的就业机会；3)提供研究培训和个人指导；4)提高他们在研究生学习中的竞争力，特别是在“全英语”环境中；5)协助准备进入神经科学博士课程；6)然后在博士课程的前两年学习中提供额外的丰富机会和科学写作实践。为了做到这一点，一个“桥梁计划”被提议包括大四本科和前两年的博士课程。它需要密歇根州立大学和波多黎各- cayey大学（upc）之间的合作伙伴关系，这是波多黎各中部山区的一个主要本科校园。这种合作关系建立在密歇根州立大学神经科学研究人员与upc的nigms资助的RISE项目之间12年的成功关系之上。该项目每年资助4名神经科学博士研究生和4名本科生。本科生参加密歇根州立大学的罗纳德·麦克奈尔暑期研究项目，该项目为学生进入研究生阶段并取得成功提供了许多经验。这包括GRE考试的准备、写作练习和研究生入学申请的准备。在密歇根州立大学度过了两个夏天后；这些学生将在大四的秋季学期“在校”注册。他们将修习神经科学领域的9个学分的本科课程，完成前一个暑期开始的研究项目，并申请研究生院。两名圆满完成本科课程的学生将被录取进入密歇根州立大学神经科学博士课程。其他学生将被帮助在密歇根州立大学其他部门或其他博士学位授予项目中获得安置。在研究生课程的前两年，计划在科学写作技巧和丰富活动方面进行额外的工作，以确保他们成功地通过研究生院的这个关键时刻。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this R25 is to increase the number of Hispanic Ph.D.s trained in the neurosciences: specifically to facilitate entry of students into Ph.D. program in Neuroscience at MSU and enhance their likeliness of their success in the program. Central to this is the need to 1) identify talented students with potential for Ph.D. studies in Neuroscience; 2) introduce them to career opportunities in neuroscience; 3) provide research training and individual mentoring 4) increase their competitiveness for graduate study, particularly in "all- English" environments; 5) assist in preparation for admission into the Ph.D. program in Neuroscience; and 6) then provide additional enrichment opportunities and practice in scientific writing during the first two years of study in the Ph.D. program. To do this, a "bridge program" is proposed encompassing the senior undergraduate year and 1st two years of the Ph.D. program. It entails a partnership between MSU and the University of Puerto Rico-Cayey (UPR-C) - a major undergraduate campus in the mountainous central region of Puerto Rico. This partnership builds on the 12 year successful relationship between neuroscience researchers at MSU and the NIGMS-funded RISE program at UPR-C. The proposed program will provide annual support for 4 Ph.D. students in Neuroscience and 4 undergraduates. Undergraduate students participate in the Ronald McNair Summer Research Program at MSU, which offers a number of experiences that prepare students to enter and succeed at the graduate level. These include preparation for the GRE, writing practice and preparation for graduate admission applications. After spending 2 summers at MSU; the students will enroll "on-campus" for the fall semester of the senior undergraduate year. They will take 9 credits of undergraduate courses in the neuroscience area, complete the research project begun during the prior summer, and make application to grad school. Two students who satisfactorily complete the undergraduate component will be offered admission into the MSU Neuroscience Ph.D. Program. Other students will be helped to obtain placement either in other MSU departments or at other Ph.D. granting programs. Additional work on science writing skills and enrichment activities are planned during the first two years of graduate program to ensure their successful progression through this critical juncture of graduate school.