Bridge to the PhD in Neuroscience

摘要 密歇根州立大学(MSU)续签一项为期五年的课程，通过以下方式加强神经科学多样性 提出了本科生科研体验(耐力)的概念。它建立在长期、有效的关系基础上 在密歇根州立大学和波多黎各校园之间(5)，圣玛丽大学新墨西哥北部学院(圣玛丽) 德克萨斯州安东尼奥)和北卡罗来纳州中部，罗利)。每一家都是少数群体服务机构(MSI)，没有一家 在校园里有重要的研究机会。波多黎各校园为远离美国的人们服务 圣胡安大都市区，还包括波多黎各大学在凯伊、阿雷西博和胡马考的校区 作为私立机构(Ana G.Mendez大学和教皇天主教大学)。 13名学生进入或被博士项目录取(2020)；另有6名学生仍在攻读博士学位 面试过程。我们使用一个三步两年的计划来实现这一结果。1)向学生介绍 神经科学，在为期一天的题为“什么是神经科学？”的研讨会上，该研讨会每年举行一次 校园。介绍了神经生物学的概念，并与简单的动手实验相结合，说明 可验证的假设和绵羊大脑解剖。2)十名学生在密集的暑假中度过10周 研究计划，在外部资助的神经科学家的实验室中进行假设指导的项目。这是 在为期两天的“训练营”之前，介绍实验室研究、研究完整性和仪器的基础知识 方法论。3)对于七名有特殊希望进入研究生院的学生，秋季学期有16周的经历 在密歇根州立大学提供3至5岁之间的课程。它包括神经科学的课程作业，关于 具有可测试性假设的项目，以及专业发展。提供了三门课程。其中一项介绍 神经科学基础，一个专注于药物成瘾的药理学，第三个是研讨会式的 强调翻译和跨学科方法来理解人类神经学病因学的课程 和精神疾病。这门课程需要大量的写作练习和一个完整的日记俱乐部。 沟通技巧的提高在夏季和秋季都会发生；它们包括非正式的和更多的 形式化的设置。包括(研究报告、课堂参与、期刊俱乐部参与和论文 写作)。来自夏季和秋季学期的学生将参加 神经科学学会积极参加年会附属的耐久会议。学生 课程工作和研究的进展将受到密切监测和外部评估。外部咨询 由合作院校的教师和城市管理学院的教师组成的委员会将提供意见和指导 关于计划的方向和结果，并协助候选人的选择。优秀的安置记录 在上一次获奖期间，学生进入高度选择性的研究生课程的比例有所下降。我们计划在此基础上再接再厉 下一次获奖的势头。

ABSTRACT Renewal of a five year program at Michigan State University (MSU) to Enhance Neuroscience Diversity through Undergraduate Research Experience (ENDURE) is proposed. It is based on long-term, effective relationships between MSU, and campuses in Puerto Rico (5), Northern New Mexico College, St. Mary’s University (San Antonio, TX), and North Carolina Central, Raleigh). Each of these is a minority serving institution (MSI), and none have significant research opportunities on campus. The Puerto Rican campuses serve populations distant from the San Juan Metro area, and include University of Puerto Rico campuses in Cayey, Arecibo and Humacao as well as private institutions (Universidad Ana G. Mendez and Pontifical Catholic University).During the last four years, 13 ENDURE students entered or were accepted (2020) into Ph.D. programs; an additional 6 are still in the interview process. We achieve this result using a 3 step two yr program. 1) Students are introduced to neuroscience, in a day-long workshop entitled, “What is Neuroscience?”and held annually on the partnering campuses. Concepts of neurobiology are introduced, and integrated with simple hands-on experiments illustrating testable hypotheses, and sheep brain dissection. 2) Ten students spend 10 weeks in an intensive summer research program, working in labs of extramurally funded neuroscientists on hypothesis-directed projects. This is preceded by a 2-day “bootcamp” introducing fundamentals of lab research, research integrity and instrument methodology. 3) For seven students with special promise for graduate school, a 16 wk Fall Semester experience at MSU is offered between their 3rd and 5th yrs. It includes coursework in neuroscience, further research on a project with testable hypothesis, and professional development. Three courses are given. One introduces fundamentals of neuroscience, one focuses on pharmacology of drug addiction, and the 3rd is a seminar-type course stressing translational and inter-disciplinary approaches to understanding the etiology of human neurologic and psychiatric disease. This course entails significant practice in writing, and an integral journal club. Improvement of communication skills occurs both in summer and fall; they include both informal and more formalized settings. included (research presentations, participation in class, journal club participation and paper writing). Students from both the summer, and Fall Semester components will attend the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience participating actively in the ENDURE Meeting affiliated with the Annual Meeting. Student progress in both course work and research will be closely monitored and externally evaluated. An external advisory committee comprising faculty from the collaborating institutions and URM faculty will provide input and guidance regarding program direction and outcome and assist in candidate selection. An outstanding record of placement of students into highly selective graduate programs occurred during the last award period. We plan to build on that momentum in the next award.