Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity with the Tennessee State University-Neuroscience Education and Research Vanderbilt Experience: TSU-NERVE

 描述（由申请人提供）： 田纳西州立大学（大津）-一所公立的、历史悠久的黑人大学（HBCU）-提议与范德比尔特大学合作推出TSU-NERVE（神经科学教育和研究范德比尔特经验），范德比尔特大学是一所主要的研究型大学，距离不到3英里，支持70多名教师获得神经科学的T32赠款。TSU-NERVE将在大三和大四期间为对神经科学感兴趣的大津大学本科STEM学生创造高质量的研究，教学和专业发展机会。研究教育将包括在范德比尔特神经科学实验室的三（3）次有偿兼职研究经验，以及在范德比尔特或与之建立合作关系的其他三个T32资助的神经科学机构之一的有偿全职夏季研究经验（例如，联合密歇根州）。教学和专业发展的机会将包括：免费神经科学课程，研讨会，并在范德比尔特务虚会;一个6部分研讨会系列研究生院招生，将涉及来自全国各地的神经科学博士课程的董事;在适当的合作PD神经科学家的指导下，在大津州立大学的3学期神经科学研究研讨会课程;和个人指导和建议，从说合作PD。精心制作的招生和保留计划将最大限度地提高TSU-NERVE完成和成功。计划资格要求满足一套高学术标准，包括3.5最低GPA和“B”或更好地完成相关的基础STEM课程。符合条件的申请将由Co-PD和咨询委员会审查，每年最多可录取5名正在上升的大三学生参加为期2年的课程。提高保留率和计划完成率的支持服务包括：1）一名有薪的范德比尔特助教，在严格的范德比尔特神经科学课程中指导学生，2）有薪的范德比尔特研究生导师，他们将在每个TSU-NERVE学生的学年实验室实习中与他们合作，3）来自Co-PD的个人指导和建议，包括每学期对参与者进展的评估，和4）一个缓刑计划，以帮助补救挣扎的学生。简而言之，TSU-NERVE将：1）从对神经科学感兴趣的大津州立大学招募有才华的（主要是非洲裔美国人）STEM专业学生，2）为这些学生提供适当的支持和脚手架，因为他们在主要研究机构获得高质量的研究和教学经验，3）通过精心设计的专业发展活动，将来自代表性不足的背景的学生推进到神经科学博士课程，包括与研究生课程主任直接接触。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Tennessee State University (TSU)-a public, historically black university (HBCU)-proposes to launch TSU-NERVE (Neuroscience Education and Research Vanderbilt Experience) with partnership from Vanderbilt University, a major research university less than 3 miles away that supports over 70 faculty on two, T32 grants in Neuroscience. TSU-NERVE will create quality research, didactic and professional development opportunities during the junior and senior years for TSU undergraduate STEM students with interest in Neuroscience. Research education will include three (3), paid, part-time research experiences in Vanderbilt Neuroscience labs and a paid, full-time summer research experience at Vanderbilt or one of three other T32- funded Neuroscience institutions with which a partnership has been formed (e.g., U. of Michigan). Didactics and professional development opportunities will include: free Neuroscience courses, seminars, and retreats at Vanderbilt; a 6-part Workshop series on graduate school admissions that will involve directors of Neuroscience doctoral programs from around the country; a 3-semester Neuroscience research seminar course at TSU under the direction of an appropriate Co-PD neuroscientist; and individual mentoring and advising from said Co-PD. Carefully crafted admissions and retention plans will maximize TSU-NERVE completion and success. Program eligibility requires meeting a set of high academic standards, including a 3.5 minimum GPA and "B" or better completion of relevant foundational STEM coursework. Qualifying applications will be reviewed by the Co-PDs and Advisory Board, and up to 5 rising juniors will be admitted annually for the 2-year program. Support services to increase retention and Program completion include: 1) a paid Vanderbilt Teaching Assistant to tutor students in rigorous Vanderbilt Neuroscience coursework, 2) paid Vanderbilt graduate student mentors who will work with each TSU-NERVE student in his/her academic year lab placements, 3) individual mentoring and advising from a Co-PD, including an evaluation of participant progress each semester, and 4) a Probation Plan to help remediate struggling students. In short, TSU-NERVE will: 1) recruit talented (primarily African American) STEM majors from TSU interested in Neuroscience, 2) provide appropriate support and scaffolding for these students as they receive quality research and didactic experiences at major research institutions, and 3) advance students from underrepresented backgrounds into doctoral programs in Neuroscience with well- crafted professional development activities-including direct contact with graduate program directors.