Peach State Bridges to the Doctorate

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Project Summary Advancement of science is enhanced when researchers have diverse backgrounds, talents, and perspectives to stimulate innovative and creative approaches that address healthcare challenges. The talent, experiences, and participation of students from underrepresented groups has been demonstrated to be starkly low in science, technology, and engineering and are worse at the doctoral levels of training and beyond. This project seeks to establish the Peach State Bridges to the Doctorate Program (PSB2D) at Kennesaw State University, in partnership with the University of Georgia, to increase the number of underrepresented students entering doctoral programs in the biomedical sciences. The innate abilities of these students will be refined and polished after matriculation through our Master of Science in Integrative Biology (MSIB) or Master of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry (MSCB) degree programs. In combination with the training and guidance provided by the PSB2D program, successful students will transition into doctoral programs in the biomedical sciences. Four ambitious objectives have been set to achieve this goal: (1) recruit five underrepresented students per year for five years that seek a master’s degree as a bridge into a biomedical doctoral (PhD) program; (2) retain and (3) train at least 80% of PSB2D students and provide truly exceptional graduate research opportunities; (4) facilitate the successful transition of at least 80% of PSB2D students into doctoral programs in the biomedical sciences. Taking advantage of multiple recruitment avenues, a pool of aspirational UR students will be competitively selected into the PSB2D program. Successful applicants will display an expressed interest in pursuing a biomedical PhD or MD/PhD. Directed research and enrichment activities are planned for the two-year appointment of each Bridges trainee. The first year will feature training in foundational research skills, responsible conduct, methods to enhance reproducibility, thesis development, and workshops to prepare trainees for doctoral program applications in the fall. Monthly Bridges meetings will build inclusiveness, respect, scientific identity, socialization, cohesion, and scientific communication. The second year will focus on doctoral interview preparation, in addition to further research training. PSB2D scholars will receive peer and faculty mentoring throughout the two-year appointment. Networking opportunities with biomedical professionals (academia, industry, private sector) will be featured in seminars. An advisory committee will oversee program effectiveness. Using the above measurable objectives, survey instruments will be deployed by an external evaluator to assess mentee training and mentor effectiveness. We will modify our program as needed, based on assessment outcomes. Results will be disseminated by our program website, conference proceedings, and journal articles. If we are successful, we will help NIH diversify the voices and talents of the biomedical workforce by matriculating at least 16 Bridges trainees into biomedical PhD programs over the five years of this project.