Intermountain Doctoral Education to Advance Students (IDEAS) in Neuroscience

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The mission of the Intermountain Doctoral Education to Advance Students (IDEAS) in Neuroscience is to build a diverse neuroscience workforce reflecting the talent pool of a diverse local and national population. The University of Utah is committed to fortifying, sustaining, and amplifying the STEM pipeline that trains and launches a diverse research workforce. This postbaccalaureate training program will specifically address the limited access to research opportunities that inhibit students from underrepresented backgrounds and small colleges from transitioning from undergraduate to doctoral training. IDEAS in Neuroscience will recruit 4 students per year from diverse backgrounds, with a specific focus on students from Intermountain West institutions that serve Hispanic/Latino and Native American communities. Creating a bridge between undergraduate and graduate training for driven, engaged students will be of significant value to both the individual student and the larger biomedical community that will benefit from their long-term retention in biomedical research-related careers. In order to accomplish our program mission, we will provide trainees with a (1) holistic, culturally- competent mentored experience centered on hypothesis-driven independent research and supported with interactive and didactic coursework ; (2) professional development and career-building activities designed to nurture self-efficacy, scientific identity, and a sense of belonging; (3) an innovative, inclusive mentoring system that provides career-long scientific, personal, and cultural support; and (4) coaching in selecting and preparing applications for PhD program, refining interview skills, and effectively managing the transition to graduate school. Throughout the training process, we employ a matrix mentoring approach that incorporates peer and near-peer support and imbed trainees into STEM communities the provide access to diverse role-models. Our approach is built on University-wide momentum and infrastructure dedicated to supporting STEM equity, diversity and inclusion. The IDEAS in Neuroscience program will fortify its trainees critical thinking and research mastery while facilitating development of the resilient mindset needed persist in graduate training and beyond.