PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The UCSC IMSD Graduate Training Program aims to create an inclusive training experience that increases the recruitment and retention of a broad population of Ph.D. students into the biomedical sciences and related fields. Building on decades of experience in promoting STEM diversity at the graduate and undergraduate levels, we will support Ph.D. students during the crucial transition at the beginning of graduate training. We will arm these students with the research and professionals skills to have successful careers in academia, industry and related fields. The UCSC IMSD Graduate Training Program proposes to provide two years of support to 10 students who are admitted into one of four tracks of the Program in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering (PBSE), which serves as an interdisciplinary umbrella program with investigators studying diverse topics in biomedical science. We will select students who 1) have high potential for success in graduate studies, based on their demonstrated resilience in overcoming a variety challenges, and 2) are motivated to become leaders in improving equity in the biomedical sciences during their future careers. The program emphasizes fostering an inclusive community, strong mentorship and professional growth to promotes success for Ph.D. students from historically marginalized groups. In their first year, IMSD students will participate in the PBSE laboratory rotation program and take core courses that emphasize rigor and reproducibility in experimental design and conduct. They will also receive formal training in the responsible conduct of research and teaching. Each student will also be paired with an EARLy faculty mentor, who will aid in choosing rotation labs, completing an IDP, and identifying a supportive thesis advisor. In the summer of their first year, students well participate in a Research Proposal Working Group to outline a thesis project for fellowship applications. In the fall of their second year, IMSD students will participate in Qualifying Exam Working Group designed plan of study for qualifying exams that will take place in spring of their second year. In the summer of their second year, students will participate in the IMSD Graduate Leadership Academy for Diversity (GLAD). The program includes seminars, workshops, social justice journal club and community events IMSD Graduate aimed at helping students develop independent research initiative and mentorship skills. It also provides opportunities to explore career pathways and create a concrete career plan. Finally, the program prepares students to further impact the campus' overall research climate by projecting their own leadership skills to positively influence equity and inclusion.

PROJECT NARRATIVE To generate the scientific discoveries and medical interventions that meet the needs of our citizens, we must harness the inherit research talent present in the United States of America. However, disparities in the population of biomedical Ph.D. scientists indicate that innovative graduate training programs are needed to better recruit and retain researchers from a variety of backgrounds. The UCSC IMSD graduate training program creates an inclusive and interdisciplinary community that develops research and leadership skills across a diverse graduate student population to prepare the next generation of research scientists in the biomedical sciences.