Florida International University (FIU) recently shared success stories of students involved in an impactful research training program for undergraduate students majoring in biomedical and behavioral sciences.
According to the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, the goal of the Minority Access to Research Careers-Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (MARC-U*STAR) program is to develop a diverse pool of undergraduates who complete their baccalaureate degree, and transition into and complete biomedical, research-focused higher degree programs (e.g., Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.).
Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the MARC U*STAR program at FIU, which is housed within the College of Arts, Sciences & Education, prepares undergraduate fellows for careers in research through mentorship, internships, and lab work.
The fellows earn hands-on experience at FIU labs. Currently, students are researching ovarian cancer, lung cancer, melanoma, and the sleep cycles of mosquitoes. Students receive a stipend for their research work and a partial tuition waiver, as well as funding for travel to present their research at top national conferences, including the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), where various FIU students have won awards for their work.
The students also participate in professional development workshops at FIU and enjoy a variety of networking opportunities to help them connect with future grad schools or employers — or simply to help them practice their professional communication skills.
The program requires students to participate in a summer internship at a university or organization outside FIU, giving them wide-reaching experiences and a greater competitive edge.
Read more about the students in the “Program trains undergrads for careers in research” story.
In related news, at this year’s Spring Commencement (April 30-May 1), FIU celebrated the graduation of over 6,200 students. Among them are students who have leveraged their FIU education and experiences to find solutions to complex problems – from educating students about their congenital heart conditions to working on innovations that will keep power grids working in extreme weather.
Meet the Spring '22 Real Triumphs Grads! Learn how they are leveraging their education to find solutions and make a real difference. Read more at #FIUnews https://t.co/n0pCOBgJpB #FIUgrad
— FIU (@FIU) April 27, 2022
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