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)将通过明确的目标和可衡量的目标，为生物医学科学领域竞争激烈的博士课程培养代表不足的少数族裔(URM)学者。在目标1中，将确定45名申请者(至少有2.8名本科生GPA)，并每年招募他们参加VCU-Prep计划的9个名额。被接受的候选人将具有学术能力，但缺乏进入美国竞争最激烈的博士项目的准备。VCU-Prep候选人将从VCU和合作机构的博士申请者库中招聘。此外，招聘将通过与合作少数族裔服务机构的教师互动进行，在这些机构，学术合格的学生不太可能拥有研究经验。最后，我们将从NIH资助的URM本科生暑期研究项目Step-Up(NIDDK)和HERO(NHLBI)中招募VCU-Prep候选人。这些直接的外展活动将通过在VCU-Prep网站上传播信息以及在国家会议上招聘来补充，例如为少数族裔学生举行的年度生物医学研究会议。在目标2中，VCU-Prep学者将参与一次密集的、积极指导的研究体验。每名VCU-Prep奖学金获得者将根据该奖学金获得者的研究兴趣，与一名高素质的VCU教师导师匹配。VCU-Prep导师的选择是基于他们经过同行审查的外部资金水平，以及培训和指导成功的出色记录。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发表演讲，最终目标是出版手稿。此外，VCU-Prep学者将参加每周一次的期刊俱乐部。在目标3中，VCU-Prep学者将被提供一个个性化的课程，以提高学术水平。VCU学者将接受科学写作方面的培训，并定期提交书面研究更新以供评论。他们将接受GRE考试的正式培训，并参加关于分析和批判性思维技能、研究生院入学和职业/专业发展的研讨会。VCU-Prep奖学金获得者将参加由学者、项目主任和研究导师挑选的2门研究生课程(S)，并将参加1学分的科学诚信课程。在目标4中，将对VCU-Prep学者和VCU URM博士生实施严格的评估和跟踪系统。我们预计此次培训将使VCU-Prep奖学金获得者100%被竞争激烈的博士项目录取，至少80%的人过渡到竞争激烈的博士项目，至少80%的人坚持学位。 相关性：生物医学研究推动了医学的未来，因为新的发现提供了对疾病的理解和治疗。在成为生物医学研究人员的人数上存在明显的差异。弗吉尼亚联邦大学研究生研究教育计划(VCU-PREP)将为生物医学科学领域竞争激烈的博士课程培养代表不足的少数族裔学者，为更多代表不足的研究人员提供渠道。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Virginia Commonwealth University Post baccalaureate Research Education Program (VCU-PREP) will prepare underrepresented minority (URM) scholars for highly competitive doctoral programs in the biomedical sciences, through specific aims and measurable objectives. In Aim 1, 45 applicants (with at least a 2.8 undergraduate GPA) will be identified and annually recruited for 9 slots in the VCU-PREP program. Acceptable candidates will be academically competent, but lack the preparation for admission to the nation's most competitive Ph.D. programs. VCU-PREP candidates will be recruited from the Ph.D. applicant pools of VCU and partner institutions. Additionally, recruitment will be done through interactions with faculty at partner Minority Serving Institutions, where academically qualified students are less likely to have research experience. Finally, we will recruit VCU-PREP candidates from our NIH-funded, URM undergraduate summer research programs, STEP-UP (NIDDK) and HERO (NHLBI). These direct outreach activities will be complemented by disseminating information on the VCU-PREP website, and recruitment at national meetings such as the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students. 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 level of peer-reviewed external funding, 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. Additionally, VCU-PREP Scholars will participate in weekly journal clubs. In Aim 3, VCU-PREP Scholars will be provided with an individualized program for academic enhancement. VCU Scholars will be trained in scientific writing, and will submit regular written research updates for critique. They will have formal training in GRE test-taking, and participate in workshops on Analytical and Critical Thinking Skills, Graduate School Admission, and Career/Professional Development. VCU-PREP Scholars will participate in 2 graduate course(s) selected by the Scholar, Program Directors, and Research Mentor, and will take a 1-credit course in Scientific Integrity. 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 this training to result in a 100% acceptance rate of VCU-PREP Scholars into competitive doctoral programs, with at least 80% transition to highly competitive doctoral programs, and at least 80% persistence to degree. RELEVANCE: Biomedical research drives the future of medicine, as new discoveries provide understanding of and treatments for disease. There are clear disparities in the number of underrepresented individuals who become biomedical researchers. The Virginia Commonwealth University Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program (VCU-PREP) will prepare underrepresented minority scholars for highly competitive doctoral programs in the biomedical sciences, providing a pipeline for increased numbers of underrepresented researchers.