G-RISE at Meharry Medical College

The Meharry Research Training Initiative is designed to strengthen the biomedical research workforce by increasing the number of students pursuing careers in biomedical and behavioral sciences. Meharry Medical College has a strong record of graduating PhDs in biomedical science disciplines, with many alumni securing positions in academia, government, and industry, where they contribute to teaching, research, and service. Since 1972, the Graduate School has awarded 307 PhDs in Biomedical Sciences, demonstrating a consistent commitment to preparing students for impactful research careers. The current program builds upon that success and is designed to further advance biomedical science research training at Meharry. The mission of the Meharry Research Training Initiative is to equip PhD students with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue research careers across a range of sectors. The program proposes three specific aims: (1) Provide rigorous training in biomedical research that emphasizes critical thinking, data science, and collaborative approaches, enabling timely completion of PhD requirements. (2) Strengthen communication and professional skills through targeted training. (3) Foster a supportive training environment through effective mentor-mentee relationships. The program will support a cohort of 8 PhD trainees annually for five years, with each trainee appointed for 2 to 3 years. Activities include multidisciplinary research training, specialized coursework such as Advances in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, and a certificate program in Biomedical Data Science. Trainees will also engage in a comprehensive career development curriculum to prepare for postdoctoral and other research-related careers. Program outcomes will include increased PhD completion rates and a well-prepared pool of biomedical scientists equipped with the technical and professional skills for success in a variety of biomedical science careers.