Virginia Commonwealth University Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program

 描述（由申请人提供）：弗吉尼亚联邦大学博士后研究教育计划（VCU-PREP）将通过具体的目标和可衡量的目标，为代表性不足的学生提供生物医学和行为科学领域竞争激烈的博士课程。在目标1中，每年将为VCU-PREP的7个职位中的每个职位招募5名合格的申请人（本科GPA大于3.0）。可接受的候选人将具有学术能力，但可能缺乏研究准备和/或严格的学术课程，以进入全国最具竞争力的博士课程。VCU-PREP候选人将通过我们的网站，并通过与教师在合作伙伴少数民族服务机构，其中学术合格的学生不太可能有丰富的研究经验的互动招募。此外，招聘将从VCU博士课程的申请人池实现。这些直接外联活动将通过在国家会议上传播方案信息进行招聘，如少数民族学生年度生物医学研究会议（ABRCMS）。在目标2中，VCU-PREP学者将参加密集的，积极的指导研究经验。每个VCU- PREP学者将根据学者的研究兴趣与高素质的VCU教师导师相匹配。VCU-PREP导师的选择是基于他们的同行评审的外部资金和出版记录，以及培训和指导成功的优秀记录。VCU-PREP学者的预期成果包括在VCU研究研讨会和国家科学会议上的演讲，最终目标是发表手稿。在目标3中，VCU-PREP学者将获得个性化的学术提升计划。他们将在口头交流和科学写作方面进行一对一的培训。VCU-PREP学生将在GRE考试中获得正式指导，并参加定量技能，研究生入学和职业/专业发展的研讨会。学生将参加一个互动的期刊俱乐部，以发展分析和批判性思维能力。VCU-PREP学者将参加由学者，项目主任和研究导师选择的课程，为他们进入研究生院做准备，并将接受负责任的研究行为培训。在目标4中，将实施严格的评估和跟踪系统，对VCU-PREP学者和VCU URM博士生进行纵向跟踪。我们预计VCU PREP培训将导致75%的学者过渡到竞争激烈的博士课程，并至少有80%的坚持学位。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Virginia Commonwealth University Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (VCU-PREP) will prepare underrepresented students for highly competitive doctoral programs in the biomedical and behavioral sciences, through specific aims and measurable objectives. In Aim 1, 5 qualified applicants (with an undergraduate GPA greater than 3.0) will be recruited annually for each of 7 positions in VCU-PREP. Acceptable candidates will be academically competent, but may lack the research preparation and/or rigorous academic coursework for admission to the nation's most competitive PhD programs. VCU-PREP candidates will be recruited through our website and through interactions with faculty at partner Minority Serving Institutions, where academically qualified students are less likely to have extensive research experience. Additionally, recruitment will be achieved from the applicant pools of VCU PhD programs. These direct outreach activities will be complemented by recruitment through the dissemination of program information at national meetings, such as the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS). In Aim 2, VCU-PREP Scholars will participate in an intensive, positive mentored research experience. Each VCU- PREP Scholar will be matched with a highly qualified VCU faculty mentor, based on the Scholar's research interests. Selection of VCU-PREP Mentors is based on their peer-reviewed external funding and publication records, and an excellent record of training and mentoring success. Expected outcomes for VCU-PREP Scholars include presentations at VCU research symposia and national scientific meetings, with a published manuscript as an ultimate goal. In Aim 3, VCU-PREP Scholars will be provided with an individualized program for academic enhancement. They will have one-on-one training in oral communication and scientific writing. VCU-PREP students will have formal instruction in GRE test-taking, and participate in workshops on Quantitative Skills, Graduate School Admission, and Career/Professional Development. Students will participate in an interactive journal club to develop Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills. VCU-PREP Scholars will take courses to prepare them for graduate school, selected by the Scholar, Program Directors, and Research Mentor, and will have training in the responsible conduct of research. In Aim 4, a rigorous evaluation and tracking system will be implemented for longitudinal follow-up of VCU-PREP Scholars and VCU URM doctoral students. We expect VCU PREP training to result in the transition of 75% of scholars to highly competitive doctoral programs, and at least 80% persistence to degree.