Project Summary/Abstract The Old Dominion University (ODU) Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) program will be a continuation of the current ODU Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program. Overall, the U-RISE program will continue to increase participation of underrepresented (UR) undergraduate students in STEM research and increase the number of such students going onto doctoral programs and careers in biomedical sciences research. The ODU U-RISE program has four specific aims: (1) To recruit five cohorts of 6 juniors (steady state of 12 trainees) and 16 pre-U-RISE trainees (8 freshmen and 8 sophomores) from groups underrepresented in biomedical sciences, (2) To incorporate changes in U-RISE based on what we learned in the current MARC program and deliver a comprehensive support system to guide trainees through the two-year program, (3) To ensure that the U-RISE program is a rigorous academic and research-training program that prepares trainees for the challenges of graduate education, and (4) To ensure that trainees develop the communication, presentation, and networking skills required for a successful biomedical research career The pre-U-RISE trainees will be assigned to faculty mentors for guidance and retention. They will be engaged in mentored hands-on laboratory research experience and attend all U-RISE activities. They will apply to the U- RISE program and be selected based on their academic record and performance in the U-RISE activities. The program activities will include advanced instruction in software, programming, laboratory equipment, critical thinking, literature analysis, and professional development targeted specifically toward application to biomedical and behavioral Ph.D. programs. Responsible Conduct of Research training will be provided. The trainees will receive intensive training in presentation skills and scientific writing, ultimately resulting in presentation of their work at regional and national conferences, as well as publications in peer-reviewed journals. Further, they will be provided mentorship on the Graduate Record Examination preparation, graduate school preparation, and how to successfully compete for graduate fellowships. The U-RISE trainees will perform their research both in the laboratories of ODU mentors, as well as in laboratories of external collaborators at T32 funded universities and other biomedical research-intensive institutions. The Program Director will share administrative leadership responsibilities with a Co-Director and additional departmental liaison faculty members from the Colleges of Sciences, Engineering, and Health Sciences. A Program Manager will oversee day-to-day operations. Internal and external evaluators will assess the program execution process and its results. An Advisory Committee will provide oversight and feedback. Strong institutional support for the ODU U-RISE program is demonstrated through the letter of support from the Provost and the President.

Project Narrative The goal of our proposal is to increase the diversity of students pursuing a Ph.D. in a STEM field and a research career in biomedical research. To achieve this goal, we have developed a series of activities for high achieving underrepresented students; activities that are designed to facilitate the development of their talent and professional skills in preparation for excelling in their subsequent Ph.D. or Ph.D./M.D. programs and careers in science areas that have biomedical relevance, while contributing to our understanding of minority health disparities and other key issues.