The U-RISE program at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus (UPR-RP) will mainly support the biomedical programs at the Departments of Chemistry and Biology of the College of Natural Sciences. The goals of U-RISE at UPR-RP are to increase the number of underrepresented students that will successfully complete a doctoral degree in a biomedical related area. Our measurable goal will be that more than 90% of the trainees filling the 30 yearly slots will pursue research doctorates, while more than 90% of those continuing doctoral studies will do so at stateside institutions. The program will achieve and maintain competitiveness of a diversified cohort of 30 undergraduate students in their research areas by broadening, strengthening and enhancing their research, academic and professional skills. These goals will be achieved by a continuous research experience, workshops and seminars designed to improve professional skills, attendance and presentation of results at national scientific meetings such as ABRCMS, seminar series in the frontiers of cellular, molecular and chemical biology, area conferences in themes of mutual interest to research groups at UPR-RP, improvement of student’s proficiency in English to communicate their scientific results, workshops and seminars for professional skill development in laboratory safety, improvement of student’s skills to manage time and stress while seeking a balance between undergraduate studies and personal life, among others. Close to 100% of the trainees will participate in extramural summer research and 90% of these will continue graduate studies at an institution where they spent a summer or other similar graduate institution. In addition, students will receive training in responsible conduct of research, ethics, and instruction in methods for enhancing reproducibility. Each year, at least five graduating seniors will apply to the NSF or other predoctoral fellowships. Our training results will be properly disseminated among the scientific community by different means as well as the U-RISE student academic achievements.

The goal of the U-RISE Program at the University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras campus (UPR-RP) is to support educational and research activities that will enhance the diversity and quality of the biomedical and research workforce at UPR-RP. This will be done by means of supporting capacity building activities with a primary focus on achieving a continuous research experience as well as workshops and seminars designed to improve the students’ professional skills. We are expecting to deliver the next generation of a well-qualified biomedical workforce.