U-RISE Program at San Jose State University

SJSU U-RISE Program ABSTRACT The SJSU U-RISE Program is committed to its mission to support the training of underrepresented students to succeed in PhD or MD/PhD programs in the biomedical sciences, just like our previous commitment to NIGMS training programs for the past 33 years. The administrative staff of our U- RISE is made of one PI who is a former MARC director, one Co-PI (a current RISE program coordinator), and a student coordinator; all three from minority backgrounds. In addition, we have a highly motivated group of research mentors and a committed institutional administrative staff who endorse the mission of this prestigious NIGMS program in its entirety. SJSU is a public, PUI Hispanic Serving Institution, with a large pool of underrepresented students (26%) in the U-RISE serving departments, which can greatly benefit from the opportunities facilitated by this program. Recruitment will rely on the ample school database with potential URM applicants, announcements via website and class visitations, and recommendations from our diligent research faculty. Our specific and measurable aims incorporate training of mentors to emphasize a student-centered approach that leads U-RISE trainees to become independent critical thinkers engaged in meaningful research projects. Trainees will be paired with one mentor whose research aligns with that of the trainee. To launch trainees into a successful first-year research experience, we will offer workshop activities that rely on rigor and reproducible approaches that combine hands-on laboratory techniques and critical thinking skills, followed by a research experience in the PI’s lab. By the second year, trainees will go away for a summer research experience at a research- intensive institution. Required components of the program include independent and meaningful research experience throughout the 2 years in the program, participation in a weekly seminar during the academic year to learn about professional skills, work on all the documents for applications to summer programs (first year) and PhD or MD/PhD applications (2nd year) as well as presentation skills in preparation to present at one of the National Conferences (e.g., SACNAS, ABRCMS). Additional mentoring will be provided by graduates from our former training programs who are now in graduate school or are professionals in a range of jobs (academic, industry, government) in the biomedical sciences and from postdoctoral fellows from Stanford University. Outcomes will be disseminated through various means, including public websites, posters in the science building, recordings of trainees’ testimonies, classrooms visitations, during freshman orientation, and STEM events such as our Student Research Day.