U-RISE SUMMARY The new Cal State LA U-RISE program is designed to build on our 50 years of experience in preparing undergraduate scientists for PhD-level careers in biomedical research. Historically centered in the Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Biological Sciences within the College of Natural and Social Sciences, biomedical research training program has expanded to include faculty and students from two additional colleges and eight more departments on our campus. In total, we will be able to choose student participants from over 4600 eligible undergraduates, who create one of the most diverse campuses in the nation. In the past five years, 77% of Cal State LA undergraduates that participated in our RISE or MARC training programs enrolled in PhD programs throughout our country. The U-RISE program is designed to develop student technical, operational, and professional skills. This is done in a way that intentionally creates a sustainable infrastructure for inclusive research training at Cal State LA. U-RISE trainees will participate in year-long, authentic research experiences on and off campus, weekly scientific seminars, and scientific conferences. They will learn how to conduct research responsibly and ethically, present their research findings professionally, and create successful PhD program applications. Innovations in the new U-RISE proposal include the development of new elective research training courses open to all Cal State LA students. These courses will broaden participation in research by allowing students to explore scientific research while earning credit towards their degree programs. We believe these innovations will help spread the culture of research from our U-RISE program to other parts of the campus. U-RISE trainees will build their own scientific identities while making a difference in communities that matter to them. They will experience expanded opportunities for research training experiences with investigators trained in the best practices of mentoring for inclusivity. The grant will serve 20-35 students annually, and includes over 40 participating faculty in ten departments within the Colleges of Natural and Social Sciences, Health and Human Services and Engineering, Computer Science and Technology. Following completion of the program, at least 85% of our U-RISE trainees will successfully enroll in PhD programs. At least 80% of U- RISE alumni in PhD programs will successfully complete these. These students will join the 63 Cal State LA students from NIH supported research training programs that have completed or are currently enrolled in PhD programs in the past 15-years.

The U-RISE program at Cal State LA will significantly increase the participation of underrepresented groups in biomedical research leadership positions. The project will identify and develop creativity and intellectual talents of motivated trainees from groups traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research and strengthen their academic and research credentials through 1) mentored research, 2) entering research curriculum, 3) faculty mentor training in inclusivity, and 4) building scientific identity with community, so that they are highly competitive for admission to and success in top PhD programs.