IMSD

Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD)

Announcement: Deadline to submit is February 26, 2021

Program Director

Dr. Luis Mota-Bravo, Director of Outreach, Research Training and Minority Science Programs (MSP),  Biological Sciences School of Biological Science

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

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.

ELIGIBILITY

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.

RESEARCH TRAINING AREAS

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.

BENEFITS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND TIMETABLE

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:

1. Facilitated study groups in chemistry and mathematics designed to excel in college, particularly during the first and second year
2. Workshops on chemical applications in biomedical sciences for freshmen
3. Mentoring and guidance by UCI faculty, graduate students and senior undergraduates pursuing biomedical research careers
4. Introduction to the research facilities in the UCI School of Biological Sciences and College of Medicine through laboratory tours
5. Field trips to other research institutions
6. Academic and career advisement
7. Financial compensation as full time employees in the summer and part-time during the academic year
8. Training in principles, instrumentation and techniques used in modern biomedical sciences
9. Faculty seminar series where invited biomedical professionals share their experiences at universities, industry and government agencies
10. Career planning and guidance to apply to research doctorate programs
11. Financial support to present research findings at national conferences

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

APPLICATION

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