MENTORING
YOUNG MINDS TO INCREASE DIVERSITY IN THE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
Director:
Dr. Antonio De Maio / Dr. Mark Lawson
Student
Coordinator: Tam Nguyen
Communications
Assistant: Barbara
Rho
BMTL
Director: Dr. David M. Cauvi
BMTL
Instructor: Dennis Hawisher
The program “
Mentoring
Young Minds to Increase Diversity in The Biomedical Research” is
directed at motivating, mentoring, and training students from underrepresented
minority groups, disadvantaged economic and social backgrounds, and with
disabilities to pursue higher education at the level of Ph.D. in Biomedical
Sciences. The program is part of the National Institutes of General Medical
Sciences (NIGMS) “Initiative for Maximizing Student Development” (IMSD),
founded in 2008.
The UCSD-IMSD program is composed
of two consecutive phases starting with a basic training laboratory (BMTL),
where they learn the basic skills necessary to participate successfully in a
research project. The BMTL experience is followed by participating in a
hands-on research project under the mentorship of an internationally recognized
investigator. In addition, scholars participate in academic development
workshops, a short course on ethics in science, and scientific seminars and
journal clubs. During the year prior to graduation, scholars are assisted by
the program director in the preparation of a strong graduate school
application.
Phase 1. Basic Methodology Training Laboratory (BMTL): Students with no or limited prior research experience are introduced to scientific work via fundamental experimental instruction within the BMTL (12 weeks, 8 hours per week). In this setting, students learn the essential research principles and skills (laboratory safety, basic techniques, data collection, and analysis) that will prepare them to participate in organized independent research projects.
Phase 2. Independent Research Project: Students participate in hands-on, bench research projects under the mentorship of established, well-funded investigators. Students are trained in several aspects of science, including experimental design, execution, data analysis, and presentations, which increase their competitiveness as graduate school candidates. Students participate in an independent research project as well as typical laboratory activities, such as group meetings and journal clubs. Students are encouraged to present their projects at national meetings or in peer-reviewed publications.
APPLICATION