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

 描述(由申请者提供)：田纳西州立大学(TSU)-一所公立、历史上为黑人的大学(HBCU)-提议与范德比尔特大学(Vanderbilt University)合作推出TSU-NERVER(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距离不到3英里的主要研究型大学，支持70多名教师的两项T32神经科学拨款。Tsu-Near将为对神经科学感兴趣的台大本科生创造高质量的研究、教学和职业发展机会。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其他三个已与之建立合作伙伴关系的T32资助的神经科学机构(如密歇根大学)的有偿全职暑期研究经验。教学和职业发展机会将包括：范德比尔特大学的免费神经科学课程、研讨会和务虚会；由6部分组成的研究生院招生系列研讨会，将有来自全国各地的神经科学博士项目的主任参加；在TSU由适当的共同PD神经科学家指导的为期3学期的神经科学研究研讨会课程；以及来自所述联合PD的个人指导和咨询。精心设计的招生和保留计划将最大限度地完成TSU的学业并取得成功。课程资格要求达到一系列较高的学术标准，包括至少3.5 GPA和“B”或更好地完成相关的STEM基础课程。符合条件的申请将由合作伙伴和咨询委员会审查，每年最多将有5名大三学生被录取参加这个为期2年的项目。为提高保留率和课程完成率而提供的支持服务包括：1)一个付费的Vanderbilt助教，指导学生严格的Vanderbilt神经科学课程；2)付费的Vanderbilt研究生导师，他们将在每位德克萨斯州立大学神经学学生的学年实验室实习中与他们合作；3)联合PD的个人指导和建议，包括每学期对参与者进度的评估；以及4)帮助补救陷入困境的学生的试用期计划。简而言之，TSU-NERFORY将：1)从TSU招收对神经科学感兴趣的STEM专业的有才华的学生(主要是非裔美国人)；2)为这些学生提供适当的支持和支持，让他们在主要研究机构接受高质量的研究和教学经验；以及3)通过精心设计的专业发展活动-包括与研究生项目主任的直接接触-帮助来自代表性不足背景的学生进入神经科学博士项目。

 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.