T34GM136495

U-Rise at Claflin University through Collaborative Interdisciplinary Mentoring in Biomedical Sciences - 7. Project Summary/Abstract

Located in Orangeburg, South Carolina, Claflin University (CU) is an independent, four-year, co-educational, residential, career-oriented liberal arts university. It is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and was founded in 1869. CU holds the distinction of being the oldest historically black college/university (HBCU) in South Carolina. With over 90% of the student body being African American and 39% being first-generation college students, CU plays a vital role in local, regional, and national efforts to recruit minority and female students into advanced degrees and research-oriented careers in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

At CU, our primary pedagogic paradigm is to train future scientists and engineers through hands-on research pursuits under the direct mentorship of active science and engineering faculty. All students in Claflin's School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (SNSM) are required to participate in research that culminates in a senior research thesis or research proposal.

The proposed Undergraduate-Research Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) targets interdisciplinary research with 18 U-RISE trainees. These trainees will be recruited, selected, and retained using a holistic approach under the supervision of 15 researchers at CU and in collaboration with biomedical researchers in research-intensive environments focusing on National Institutes of Health training programs over a five-year period. The projects will be conducted in various laboratories, including biology, chemistry, mathematics-computer science, and engineering, within SNSM. Additionally, selected projects will be integrated with community-based participatory public health research in collaboration with the School of Humanities and external research collaborators to address pertinent health disparities.

Faculty mentors will complete required training activities that include topics of diversity training and cultural sensitivity. Trainees will also complete required courses on introduction to research and research ethics. They will participate in weekly sessions that cover journal clubs, responsible conduct of research, CITI modules, writing modules, cultural sensitivity modules, graduate record exam preparation, application for internships, application for graduate school, oral and poster preparation and practice, manuscript preparation, and interview skills. Throughout the program, from orientation to graduation, team-building sessions will provide a supportive environment.

By enhancing students' preparation, enthusiasm, and self-confidence, we aim to increase the number of underrepresented students entering and completing Ph.D. programs in biomedical-focused areas. As a result, we aim to place 33% of trainees (2 graduating trainees) into Ph.D. programs yearly after the third year, with 6 trainees at the end of 5 years, all within 3 years of graduation. This will be achieved by implementing strategic plans for recruitment, selection, and retention, as well as efficient tracking to completion. Drawing from lessons learned in our RISE program and other successful programs, we anticipate a significant increase in students matriculating into Ph.D. and MD/Ph.D. programs, building upon the number entering master's programs.

Claflin University

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES (NIGMS) SUPPORTS BASIC RESEARCH THAT INCREASES OUR UNDERSTANDING OF BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR ADVANCES IN DISEASE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION. NIGMS ALSO SUPPORTS RESEARCH IN SPECIFIC CLINICAL AREAS THAT AFFECT MULTIPLE ORGAN SYSTEMS: ANESTHESIOLOGY AND PERI-OPERATIVE PAIN, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ?COMMON TO MULTIPLE DRUGS AND TREATMENTS, AND INJURY, CRITICAL ILLNESS, SEPSIS, AND WOUND HEALING.? NIGMS-FUNDED SCIENTISTS INVESTIGATE HOW LIVING SYSTEMS WORK AT A RANGE OF LEVELSFROM MOLECULES AND CELLS TO TISSUES AND ORGANSIN RESEARCH ORGANISMS, HUMANS, AND POPULATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, TO ENSURE THE VITALITY AND CONTINUED PRODUCTIVITY OF THE RESEARCH ENTERPRISE, NIGMS PROVIDES LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING THE TRAINING OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS, ENHANCING THE DIVERSITY OF THE SCIENTIFIC WORKFORCE, AND DEVELOPING RESEARCH CAPACITY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

93.859 - Biomedical Research and Research Training

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) [HHS - NIH]

South Carolina United States

State-Wide

Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) (T34) (PAR-19-218)

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been shortened from 03/31/26 to 03/31/25 and the total obligations have increased 546% from $178,022 to $1,150,099.