Dr. Luis Mota-Bravo, Director of Outreach, Research Training and Minority Science Programs (MSP), Biological Sciences School of Biological Science
The Minority Science Programs (MSP) in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) announces the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD), funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The program seeks to prepare underrepresented minority undergraduates for exciting careers in biomedical research. IMSD provides academic preparation to excel in college, paid research training, information about career choices and opportunities for mentorship with biomedical researchers. After the initial academic preparation and training, eligible IMSD students work in faculty laboratories as research trainees and receive financial compensation as full-time employees in the summer and part-time during the academic year. The summer salary is over $2000 per month. Research areas include stem cell research, biology of cancer, infectious diseases, genetic diseases, anatomy, neurobiology, immunology, bioinformatics, developmental and evolutionary biology, among others. In addition to paid research opportunities, IMSD students attend faculty seminars, laboratory workshops, tutoring, journal club, scientific communications workshops, national conferences, a science writing class, graduate school guidance and career and academic advisement.
Applicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents from underrepresented minority groups (Black African-Americans, Chicano/Latino Americans, Native Americans, and Natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands) enrolled at UCI in an area within biomedical sciences; including biology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering and computer sciences. Freshmen should apply before their first quarter at UCI. Sophomore, junior and senior biology majors should have completed one year of chemistry with a grade B or better. All applicants should have a GPA of at least 3.0, however, exceptions can be made for students showing an upward trend in their grades.
Students participating in IMSD receive training in biomedical research. Research training areas include natural, physical and behavioral sciences and mathematics relevant to biomedical research. Freshmen receive training in structured research experiences provided directly by IMSD. Sophomores may choose to participate in research experiences provided directly by IMSD or they may choose their research advisor among faculty in the School of Biological Sciences, College of Medicine, School of Physical Sciences, School of Engineering, School of Information and Computer Science, and School of Social Ecology that are conducting biomedical research. Research areas include Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, Developmental Biology, Cell Biology, Pathology, Neurobiology, Anatomy, Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Environmental Toxicology and Epidemiology.
The IMSD Program provides academic preparation and financial support as apprentice scientists in UCI laboratory to gain laboratory skills and research experience.
IMSD is an exciting and challenging academic experience. Selected participants receive the following benefits:
Fellows are expected to participate in all IMSD activities designed for their level, including faculty seminars, laboratory workshops, tutoring, journal club, scientific communications workshops, local and national conferences, graduate school guidance and career and academic advisement. Bio Sci 194S Safety and Ethics course is mandatory prior to engaging in research training at UCI. Beginning in the sophomore year, IMSD fellows are expected to enroll in the MSP Seminar Series (Bio 197) during their participation in the program. The following timetable shows the IMSD activities during the academic year and the summer.
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
SUMMER |
Freshmen | |||
Study groups in chemistry | Study groups in chemistry | Study groups in chemistry | MSP Research Seminar Series |
Workshops on chemical applications in biomedical sciences | Workshops on chemical applications in biomedical sciences | Workshops on applications in biomedical sciences | Workshops on laboratory methods and scientific communications |
Visits to laboratories | Visits to laboratories | Visits to laboratories | Structured group research experience |
Academic advisement | Academic advisement | Academic advisement | Organic chemistry prep class |
Bio Sci 194S | MSP Summer Research Symposium | ||
Sophomore |
|||
Study groups in organic chemistry and physics | Study groups in organic chemistry and physics | Study groups in organic chemistry and physics | Advanced workshops on laboratory methods and scientific communications |
MSP Research Seminar Series (Bio 197) | MSP Research Seminar Series (Bio 197) | MSP Research Seminar Series (Bio 197) | MSP Research Seminar Series |
Structured group research or independent research | Structured group research or independent research | Structured group research or independent research | Journal club |
Academic advisement |
Academic advisement | Academic advisement | Independent research |
MSP Summer Research Symposium | |||
Junior |
|||
MSP Research Seminar Series (Bio 197) | MSP Research Seminar Series (Bio 197) | MSP Research Seminar Series (Bio 197) | MSP Research Seminar Series |
Independent research | Independent research | Independent research | Independent research |
Participation at national conference | Participation at national conference | Journal club | |
Academic advisement | Academic advisement | Academic advisement | Summer Research Symposium |
GRE training and test | GRE training and test | ||
Senior |
|||
MSP Research Seminar Series (Bio 197) | MSP Research Seminar Series (Bio 197) | MSP Research Seminar Series (Bio 197) | |
Excellence in Research | Excellence in Research | Excellence in Research | |
Independent research | Independent research | Independent research | |
Participation at national conference | Participation at national conference | ||
Application to PhD graduate school |
Interviews for PhD and Academic advisement | Academic advisement |
Applications will be accepted until all the positions are filled. You may download the IMSD application here that contains the IMSD Application Form and Statement of Purpose Form. For additional information about IMSD please contact:
Dr. Marlene de la Cruz
Director Academic Student Development
Outreach Research Training Minority Science Programs
University of California, Irvine
1134 Biological Sciences III
Irvine, CA 92697-2527
Ph: (949) 824-2589
Fax: (949) 824-6599
e-mail: marlene@uci.edu