UTSA MARC U*STAR Research Training Program

描述（由申请人提供）：德克萨斯大学圣安东尼奥分校（UTSA）请求NIH/NIGMS的支持，以继续其成功的MARC U*STAR研究准备计划。该计划的总体目标是培养优秀的少数民族本科研究人员，他们成功地进入了高选择性的博士培训项目，并在生物医学和行为科学领域从事研究工作。自UTSA MARC项目启动以来的30年里，改进后的博士实习生入学率提高到了50%（2006年至今）。这个比率几乎是十年前的两倍。质量非常高，23名前学员目前在著名的博士项目（87%在T32院校）。凭借优秀的，完善的MARC培训活动和与几个特殊的博士培训项目的牢固关系，UTSA MARC计划现在处于一个适当的位置，以扩大其对更多UTSA本科生的影响，其中52%的学生来自生物医学和行为科学中代表性不足的人群。拟议中的新MARC U*STAR计划将继续为MARC学员提供优秀的学术和研究培训，但也将吸引理学院（COS）、工程学院（COE）和文科与美术学院（COLFA）的非MARC本科生，以及访问UTSA校园的高中生，以扩大对研究事业感兴趣的学生群体。中心假设是，通过启动、完善和制度化成功的MARC U*STAR干预措施，并通过为非MARC学生提供课程和课程改进、信息和创新的入门级研究培训机会，项目影响将扩大，URM学生的博士课程入学率将增加。项目目标将通过实现三个具体目标来实现：1)加强MARC U*STAR学员现有的和实施新的发展活动；2)在UTSA推广和发展入门级研究教育和研究培训经验；3)修改或开发与学术相关的活动、课程和课程作业，以提高他们的定量分析能力，为博士教育做准备。将执行一系列有效和创新的活动，以实现具体目标，每项活动都有可衡量的目标，用于评价进展和效力。拟议的培训计划具有创新性，因为它采用了多种方法，而不是研究指导，以发展和促进本科生物医学和行为研究，并追求博士教育，在UTSA。总体而言，UTSA MARC U*STAR计划致力于实现增加URM学生进入并完成博士教育的数量，并在生物医学和行为科学领域开展有回报的职业生涯的长期目标。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) requests NIH/NIGMS support to continue its successful MARC U*STAR Research Preparedness Program. The overall goal of the program is to develop exceptional underrepresented minority undergraduate researchers who successfully matriculate into highly selective doctoral training programs and pursue research careers in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. In 30 years since the UTSA MARC program inception, refinements have increased doctoral trainee matriculation rates to ~50% (2006-present). This rate is practically double what it was just ten years ago. Quality is very high as 23 former trainees are currently in prestigious doctoral programs (87% at T32 institutions). With excellent, well-established MARC training activities and strong relationships with several exceptional doctoral training programs, the UTSA MARC program is now in an opportune position to expand its impact to a much greater number of UTSA's undergraduate students, 52% of whom come from populations underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. The proposed new MARC U*STAR program will continue to provide outstanding academic and research training to MARC trainees, but will also engage non-MARC undergraduates in the College of Science (COS), College of Engineering (COE), and College of Liberal and Fine Arts (COLFA), as well as High School students visiting the UTSA campus to expand the pool of students interested in research careers. The central hypothesis is that by initiating, refining and institutionalizing successful MARC U*STAR interventions, and by providing curricular and course enhancements, information, and innovative entry-level research training opportunities for non-MARC students, program impact will be broadened and doctoral program matriculation rates of URM students will increase at UTSA. Program goals will be accomplished through achieving three specific aims: 1) enhance existing and implement new developmental activities for MARC U*STAR trainees; 2) promote and develop entry-level research education and research training experiences at UTSA; and 3) revise or develop academic-related activities, curriculum and coursework for UTSA undergraduates, to enhance their quantitative skills and preparation for doctoral education. An array of effective and innovative activities will be implemented to achieve the specific aims, each with measurable objectives that will be used to assess progress and effectiveness. The proposed training plan is innovative because it employs a variety of approaches beyond research mentoring to develop and promote undergraduate biomedical and behavioral research, and pursuit of doctoral education, at UTSA. Overall, the UTSA MARC U*STAR program is dedicated to accomplishing the long-term goal of increasing the number of URM students who enter and complete doctoral education, and launch rewarding careers in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Breakthroughs in scientific research always precede improvements in medical treatment and public health. Providing funding to recruit and train a diverse work force of future scientists will develop a robust scientific community poised to address the nation health concerns, including those who disproportionately affect minority populations.