Increased Training of Hispanic Neuroscientists at Michigan State University

描述(由申请人提供)：R25的目标是增加在神经科学方面接受培训的拉美裔博士的数量：特别是为了促进学生进入密歇根大学神经科学博士项目，并提高他们在项目中成功的可能性。这项工作的核心是：1)发现有潜力进行神经科学博士研究的有才华的学生；2)向他们介绍神经科学领域的职业机会；3)提供研究培训和个人指导；4)提高他们在研究生学习方面的竞争力，特别是在“全英语”环境下；5)协助准备进入神经科学博士项目；6)在博士项目的头两年提供额外的丰富机会和科学写作练习。为了做到这一点，建议了一个包括大四本科生和博士课程头两年的“过渡计划”。它需要密歇根州立大学和波多黎各大学卡伊分校(UPR-C)之间的合作，后者是波多黎各中部山区的一个主要本科生校园。这一伙伴关系建立在密歇根州立大学神经科学研究人员与UPR-C的NIGMS资助的RISE项目之间长达12年的成功关系的基础上。拟议的计划将每年为4名神经科学博士学生和4名本科生提供支持。本科生参加密歇根州立大学的罗纳德·麦克奈尔暑期研究项目，该项目提供了一些经验，为学生进入研究生并取得成功做好准备。这些措施包括准备GRE、写作练习和准备研究生入学申请。在密歇根州立大学度过两个暑假后，学生们将在大学四年级秋季学期入学。他们将选修神经科学领域的9个本科生学分，完成上一年夏天开始的研究项目，并申请研究生院。两名圆满完成本科课程的学生将被密歇根州立大学神经科学博士项目录取。其他学生将被帮助进入密歇根州立大学的其他系或其他博士授予项目。在研究生课程的头两年，计划在科学写作技能和丰富活动方面进行额外的工作，以确保他们在研究生院的这个关键时刻取得成功。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this R25 is to increase the number of Hispanic Ph.D.s trained in the neurosciences: specifically to facilitate entry of students into Ph.D. program in Neuroscience at MSU and enhance their likeliness of their success in the program. Central to this is the need to 1) identify talented students with potential for Ph.D. studies in Neuroscience; 2) introduce them to career opportunities in neuroscience; 3) provide research training and individual mentoring 4) increase their competitiveness for graduate study, particularly in "all- English" environments; 5) assist in preparation for admission into the Ph.D. program in Neuroscience; and 6) then provide additional enrichment opportunities and practice in scientific writing during the first two years of study in the Ph.D. program. To do this, a "bridge program" is proposed encompassing the senior undergraduate year and 1st two years of the Ph.D. program. It entails a partnership between MSU and the University of Puerto Rico-Cayey (UPR-C) - a major undergraduate campus in the mountainous central region of Puerto Rico. This partnership builds on the 12 year successful relationship between neuroscience researchers at MSU and the NIGMS-funded RISE program at UPR-C. The proposed program will provide annual support for 4 Ph.D. students in Neuroscience and 4 undergraduates. Undergraduate students participate in the Ronald McNair Summer Research Program at MSU, which offers a number of experiences that prepare students to enter and succeed at the graduate level. These include preparation for the GRE, writing practice and preparation for graduate admission applications. After spending 2 summers at MSU; the students will enroll "on-campus" for the fall semester of the senior undergraduate year. They will take 9 credits of undergraduate courses in the neuroscience area, complete the research project begun during the prior summer, and make application to grad school. Two students who satisfactorily complete the undergraduate component will be offered admission into the MSU Neuroscience Ph.D. Program. Other students will be helped to obtain placement either in other MSU departments or at other Ph.D. granting programs. Additional work on science writing skills and enrichment activities are planned during the first two years of graduate program to ensure their successful progression through this critical juncture of graduate school.