Enhancing Research Capabilities to Encourage Minorities in Scientific Professions

描述(由申请人提供)：化身世界大学的学生人数反映了我们所服务的南得克萨斯州社区的种族多样性，因为我们74%的学生代表少数族裔(51%的西班牙裔，26%的非西班牙裔白人，7%的非洲裔美国人，6%的国际裔，1%的亚洲人，1%的美国印第安人或阿拉斯加原住民，以及8%的其他)。我们64%的学生是女性。目前，传统的UIW学生是第一代大学生--也就是他或她的家庭中第一个上大学的人。由于学生的低收入状况，大多数人接受经济援助(67%)。大部分助学金发放给了UIW的少数族裔学生(占助学金的76%)。EARDA的资助将在相当大的程度上有助于向我们的大量少数群体--主要是女性、西班牙裔和第一代大学生--推广科学，并让教职员工和学生更好地了解生物医学和行为研究中的研究资助机会。目前，UIW没有研究发展办公室(ORD)或赞助项目办公室，大多数研究补助金来自少数高级教职员工，他们意识到自己特定研究领域的资助机会有限(S)。基金会、企业和政府关系部在时间允许的情况下协助教师，但在接下来的几年里，重点是大规模的资本活动，而不是教师在健康/科学方面的研究拨款。EARDA助学金将提供一个急需的ORD，作为一个教职员工和学生可以及时获得有关助学金可能性的信息、帮助撰写助学金以及全面帮助理解NIH提供的一系列复杂的助学金可能性的地方。布莱恩·麦克伯内特博士是一位才华横溢的化学家，他将担任这笔拨款的PI和EA。护理系高级成员玛丽·伊莱恩·琼斯博士将担任高级研究协调员，直接与麦克伯内特博士合作，并支持麦克伯内特博士，以确保Ord的长期成功。这种团队方法还确保数学、科学和工程学院以及护理和健康专业学院在拨款期间和以后都有平等的代表。一个耗资1,400万美元的新科学与工程中心证明了UIW致力于加大努力招收和留住对科学和科学研究感兴趣的学生--特别重视代表人数较少的少数族裔和女性学生。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The student population at the University of the Incarnate Word reflects the ethnic diversity of the South Texas community we serve, as 74% of our students represent minority populations (51% Hispanic, 26% White non-Hispanic, 7% African-American, 6% international, 1% Asian, 1% American Indian or Alaskan Native, and 8% other). Sixty-four percent of our students are female. Currently, the "traditional" UIW student is a first-generation college student - that is, the first one in his or her family to attend college. Because of the low-income status of students, the majority receive financial aid (67%). Most of the financial aid goes to the minority student population at UIW (76% of financial aid). EARDA funding would help in a considerable way to promote the sciences to our large minority population-predominantly female, Hispanic, and first- generation college students-and to allow both faculty and students to become more aware of research funding opportunities in biomedical and behavioral research. Presently, there is no Office of Research Development (ORD) or a Sponsored Programs Office at UIW and most research grants result from a handful of senior faculty who are aware of a limited range of funding opportunities in their specific area(s) of study. The Foundation, Corporate and Government Relations Department assists faculty when time permits, but the focus for the next several years is on a large capital campaign and not faculty research grants in health/sciences. The EARDA grant would provide a much needed ORD as a place where faculty and students could get timely information on grant possibilities, help in writing grants, and overall assistance in understanding the complex array of grant possibilities available at NIH. Dr. Brian McBurnett, a talented chemist, would serve as PI and the EA for the grant. Dr. Mary Elaine Jones, a senior member of the nursing faculty, would serve as Senior Research Coordinator working directly with, and in support of, Dr. McBurnett to ensure the long-term success of the ORD. This team approach also ensures that the Schools of Math, Science & Engineering and Nursing & Health Professions would be equally represented over the duration of the grant-and beyond. A new $14 million Science & Engineering Center proves UIW's commitment to increasing efforts in recruiting and retaining students interested in science and science research-with a particular emphasis on underrepresented minority and women students.