IMSD at Stony Brook University: Maximizing Excellence in Research for Graduate Education

IMSD at Stony Brook University: Maximizing Excellence in Research for Graduate Education. The Stony Brook University Initiative for Maximizing Student Development: Maximizing Excellence in Research for Graduate Education (IMSD MERGE) provides a comprehensive and inclusive academic, research, and professional development training that will increase the number of biological and biomedical science doctoral trainees advancing onto academic and research career paths. This training program provides academic support and professional development opportunities for those pursuing a biological or biomedical PhD at Stony Brook University, a research-intensive institution. The goal of the IMSD MERGE training program will be carried out through three objectives: 1. Providing incoming eligible doctoral trainees with academic and financial support to maximize the successful navigation of their core courses, first- year laboratory rotations, and qualifying exams. 2. Providing rigorous, inclusive research training and mentoring to prepare trainees to become ethical, independent scientists while fostering their self-efficacy and science identity. 3. Providing trainees with opportunities to develop professional skills to prepare them to secure independent funding and succeed as faculty and researchers at the highest levels of the scientific workforce. These aims will be accomplished through strategic activities designed to support IMSD MERGE trainees’ academic, research, and career success: 1) Funded research opportunities for a steady state of ten doctoral students. 2) Academic preparation focused on metacognitive skill development and support in gateway courses 3) Fostering productive mentoring relationships through structured mentor training and other activities that engage trainees with their research advisors. 4) Professional development training focused on developing advanced writing ability, preparing trainees for successful acquisition of research funding and entry into the academic and research workforce. IMSD MERGE collaborates with biomedical science faculty from eight graduate programs at Stony Brook, addressing critical issues impeding training and career success, thereby strengthening the research training environment at Stony Brook and increasing the number of well-trained scientists in the biomedical research workforce. Project leadership will identify key junctures in academic development and design interventions and support efforts to improve trainees’ persistence and performance outcomes. Stony Brook is strongly committed to the objectives of IMSD MERGE, with various units committing additional funding support to broaden and enhance participation in biological and biomedical sciences doctoral programs at Stony Brook University.