Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity in the Biomedical Sciences (IMSD)

描述（由申请人提供）：促进生物医学研究、改善人类健康和开发有效的疾病治疗方法需要一支多样化和训练有素的科学队伍。密苏里大学哥伦比亚分校（MU）是密苏里州唯一的四年制综合性公立大学，在培养下一代科学家方面发挥着关键作用。作为密苏里-哥伦比亚大学（MU）对科学培训和多样性的承诺的一部分，在NIH的事先资助下，我们开发了一个成功的创新项目，为未被充分代表的少数民族学生准备生物医学研究。我们的“学生多样性最大化计划”有三个目标。首先，进一步发展对探索生物医学研究感兴趣的少数民族本科生的支持性和参与性同伴社区。我们将增加在生物医学研究领域探索的大一/大二学生的数量。其次，我们将扩大一个针对MU大三/大四学生的项目，让这些高级本科生参与独立研究经验，并为他们在生物医学科学领域的研究生学习做好准备。第三，我们将为少数民族研究生提供一个结构化和有指导的研究环境，使他们在攻读生物医学学科的博士学位时成为独立的科学家。我们IMSD项目的进一步发展将对大学的多样性和我们国家的科学劳动力产生重大影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A diverse and well-trained scientific workforce is necessary to advance biomedical research, improve human health and to develop effective remedies for disease. The University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) is the only four-year comprehensive public university in the State of Missouri and has a critical role in training the next generation of scientists. As part of the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) commitment to scientific training and diversity, and with prior funding from NIH, we have developed a successful and innovative program to prepare underrepresented minority students for biomedical research. We have three objectives for our Initiative to Maximize Student Diversity (IMSD) program. First, to further develop a supportive and engaged peer community of minority undergraduate students that are interested in exploring biomedical research. We will increase the number of MU freshmen/sophomore students who are exploring a career in biomedical research. Second, we will expand a program targeted at MU junior/senior students that involves these advanced undergraduates in independent research experiences and prepares them for graduate study in the biomedical sciences. Third, we will provide a structured and mentored research environment for minority graduate students to develop into independent scientists as they pursue their PhD degree in a biomedical discipline. Further development of our IMSD program will have a substantial impact on diversity at the University and on our nation's scientific workforce.