Project Summary The University of Chicago (UChicago) Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) is designed to provide research training and educational opportunities for newly admitted PhD graduate students from groups underrepresented (UR) in the biomedical and behavioral sciences and our programming is open to non-UR students who would benefit from IMSD opportunities. The Program is tiered to focus intervention and developmental activities to match the background preparation, research experience, and learning styles of individual students as well as their stage of progression in graduate school. Students join the IMSD in the Summer term upon entry to graduate studies, complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP) that will serve as the roadmap for each student's course over their tenure in the UChicago IMSD, and participate in a Summer Research Program that helps to integrate them into the Graduate Programs and prepare them for the rigors of a UChicago graduate education. Navigation through rotations and coursework, as well as developing communication and coping skills will be facilitated through Interactive Learning Modules (ILMs) and augmented by peer and faculty mentoring. Support from the Program is provided for years one through three of graduate school. Students remain members of the IMSD program while advancing to completion of the PhD, benefitting from ILMs designed to hone scientific skills, enhance leadership skills, develop professional and networking skills and explore career options. Although the Program is highly structured and logically organized, it is also customizable depending on each student’s needs. This is accomplished by a newly developed skill-based evaluation process implemented at key milestones. Faculty are actively engaged in improving their mentoring and training skills, while all stakeholders work together toward a more diverse community of scholars. The ultimate success of the IMSD Program is measured by completion of the students’ PhD programs, their long- term success as biomedical scientists, and an increase in the diversity of the biomedical research community over time.

Project Narrative The long-range goal of the University of Chicago Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) is to help diversify the scientific workforce. The IMSD provides research training and educational opportunities for newly admitted PhD graduate students from groups underrepresented in the biomedical and behavioral sciences until completion of the PhD. To assess the success of this endeavor, the participants’ progress is measured by quantitative metrics and skill-acquisition throughout their graduate programs and into subsequent career paths.