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）将通过具体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准备代表性不足的少数民族（URM）学者。在目标1中，将确定45名申请人（本科GPA至少为2.8），并每年为VCU-PREP项目的9个名额招聘。合格的候选人将在学术上有能力，但缺乏进入美国最具竞争力的博士项目的准备。VCU- prep候选人将从VCU及其合作院校的博士申请者中招募。此外，招聘将通过与合作少数民族服务机构的教师互动来完成，在这些机构中，学术上合格的学生不太可能有研究经验。最后，我们将从美国国立卫生研究院资助的URM本科生暑期研究项目，STEP-UP （NIDDK）和HERO （NHLBI）中招募VCU-PREP候选人。除了这些直接的外联活动外，还将在VCU-PREP网站上传播信息，并在少数民族学生年度生物医学研究会议等国家会议上进行招聘。在目标2中，VCU-PREP学者将参加一个密集的，积极的指导研究经验。每位VCU- prep学者将根据学者的研究兴趣与高素质的VCU教师导师相匹配。VCU-PREP导师的选择是基于他们的同行评议的外部资金水平，以及培训和指导成功的优秀记录。VCU- prep学者的预期成果包括在VCU研究专题讨论会和国家科学会议上发表演讲，最终目标是发表手稿。此外，VCU-PREP学者将参加每周的期刊俱乐部。在目标3中，VCU-PREP学者将获得个性化的学术提升计划。VCU学者将接受科学写作方面的培训，并将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，并参加有关分析和批判性思维技能、研究生入学和职业/专业发展的研讨会。VCU-PREP学者将参加由学者，项目主任和研究导师选择的2门研究生课程，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博士生实施严格的纵向随访评估和跟踪系统。我们希望这次培训能使VCU-PREP学者100%接受竞争激烈的博士课程，至少80%的人能过渡到竞争激烈的博士课程，至少80%的人能坚持到学位。

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.