Post-baccalaureate Research Program (MU PREP) to Prepare Scholars from Underrepresented Groups for Admission to High Quality PhD Programs in the Biomedical Sciences

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Academic Level:
Post-Baccalaureate

Description:
Program activities: Scholars begin our year-long program by completing 2-3 research rotations, gaining exposure to research approaches and mentor styles in two different laboratories. They then choose a faculty research mentor and complete a 10-month faculty-mentored independent research project in which they are fully involved from hypothesis development and experimental design, through data analysis, to the communication of results. MU PREP faculty mentors emphasize interdisciplinary research and are drawn from all the biomedical science disciplines on campus, including our Medical School. MU PREP also has a strong mentored professional development component including guided practice critically reading primary scientific literature, and in presenting research results locally and at 1 or 2 national meetings/year in the Scholar's discipline. MU PREP also provides short courses in: Experimental Design and Data Analysis; Grad School Application/Admission Process; and Responsible Conduct of Research.

Our success: 92% of MU PREP Scholars enrolled directly in graduate or professional programs; 80% enrolled in PhD programs. In the past 5 years, they enrolled in PhD programs at: Chicago, George Washington, Georgia, Johns Hopkins, Indiana, Michigan (2), Missouri (3), North Carolina-Chapel Hill, NYU, Penn, Penn State, Rochester, UC-Merced, UT Med-San Antonio, Washington Univ., and Wisconsin. 93% of MU PREP Scholars who enrolled in a PhD program have received their PhD or are on track to do so. MU PREP Scholars complete their PhD degrees in 5.6 years, significantly less than the 6.9-year national average.

Financial support: MU PREP provides a $30,000/year salary and $4,500/year support to travel to 2 scientific conferences. MU PREP also pays all tuition and graduate health insurance.

Eligibility: By NIH guidelines, PREP Scholars must: be a U.S. Citizen, National, or Permanent Resident; have graduated or be graduating with a baccalaureate degree in a biomedical-relevant science; belong to a group considered underrepresented in biomedical research by virtue of race/ethnicity, disability or disadvantaged background; and plan to apply to a PhD program in a biomedical or related field after PREP. MU PREP Scholars come from institutions ranging from small liberal arts colleges to large universities. Many come from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and Minority Serving Institutions.


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Program Materials:

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This program is funded by:
National Institute of Health (NIH)


Page last updated 2/15/2024 3:07:00 PM
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