Colorado Preparation in Interdisciplinary Knowledge to Excel PREP

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The goal of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (UC AMC) Preparation in Interdisciplinary Knowledge to Excel (PIKE) PREP is to offer a multi-dimensional mentoring and research training experience to inspire URM postbaccalaureate students to enroll and succeed in a PhD or MD-PhD program and commit to a career in biomedical research. PIKE PREP will address barriers URM students are known to face in entering and completing graduate programs. The PIKE PREP is a structured, yet highly customizable program that offers a variety of activities that address the individual Scholar's research weaknesses as well as identify and reinforce their strengths. We will couple evidence-based practices with metric-based evaluations to gauge and improve efficacy of activities. The PIKE will focus on key attributes which we and others have identified as necessary for graduate school success, developing these attributes through programmatic and mentorship activities, including mentorship in Research, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, and Role Model. Our main purpose is to advance at least 80% of PREP Scholars to PhD or MD-PhD biomedical research programs on our campus or at another top-tier PhD program. Aim 1 is to engage the Scholars in research while building their technical skills through an exceptional biomedical research-focused experience. This aim will focus on providing Scholars in an in-depth research experience by taking advantage of a wide range of resources as well as highly productive and dedicated mentors with research expertise across a wide spectrum of biomedical-related research. Aim 2 is to improve the Scholar's competitiveness for PhD programs by providing analytical skills enhancement and substantial guidance on the graduate school application process. Activities in this aim will help build a strong foundation in scientific reasoning, rigorous research design and data analysis and interpretation. We will also guide students to prepare exceptional graduate school applications, refine interview skills, and lead them to the most appropriate graduate programs that match their interests and needs. Aim 3 will provide an assortment of high-quality professional and career development activities to complement each PREP Scholar's research experience. We work closely with the Scholars and mentors to develop, monitor, and refine IDPs for each Scholar based on individual career needs. Routine evaluations of IDPs by our PREP Leadership Team will ensure that the PREP Scholar is making excellent progress and that the training objectives of the IDP are met. Aim 4 will provide a continuous and dynamic mentoring and community-building research-centered experience. PREP Scholars will have various opportunities to network with URM and non-URM mentors, graduate students, postdocs and faculty and different forums to become integrated into the social, research, and academic environments. The successful implementation of these programmatic initiatives will increase the number of highly qualified and competitive URM students that enter and succeed in a PhD program.