G-RISE at The University of Mississippi - This “G-RISE at The University of Mississippi” seeks to establish an interdisciplinary biomedical sciences training program at the University of Mississippi (U-Miss). The DIRECT (Diversifying Interdisciplinary drug and device development Research Expertise through Community building and Training) Program aims to increase diversity in the biomedical research workforce and to prepare strong Ph.D. graduates who are well-prepared to enter a career in the biomedical field. The doctoral programs of the participating departments have successfully placed graduates in a wide range of career paths. However, overall, less than 9% of the admitted students belong to underrepresented minority (URM) populations, which is consistent with the percentage of URM’ students admitted into STEM fields at U-Miss. The relatively low number of applications received from domestic students, considering the diversity in the state of Mississippi, and the current degree completion rates, demonstrate the need to seek out and foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for our trainees. Currently, there are no T32 predoctoral training programs at U-Miss; thus, the DIRECT program will develop a critical infrastructure to support graduate students from diverse backgrounds pursuing degrees in the biomedical field. The proposed Program builds on the expertise of a diverse group of expert faculty mentors who are significantly invested in graduate student mentoring. They have research expertise in drug discovery, product development, device design, safety and efficacy testing, and evaluation of efficiency. In addition to mandatory Program-specific didactic courses, training activities will include several nondidactic components. Through career and professional development activities, trainees will be equipped with the necessary skills to work in a diverse environment, interact with role models to gain insights into career paths, and build self-confidence. The Program will provide holistic, evidence-based, and team-oriented learning opportunities in this multidisciplinary scientific area. The Program will recruit and enroll three new trainees from underrepresented groups (URGs) every year and support them financially for three years through program funding. All trainees will be supported to degree completion through institutional funds after program completion. Trainees selected for this Program will be chosen competitively based on academic excellence and their interest and motivation for careers in the biomedical field. Thus, the specific objectives of this Program are to i) Recruit and enroll a diverse pool of trainees from underrepresented groups through active and targeted recruitment activities, ii) Develop trainees' ability to create, assimilate, analyze, and think critically, iii) Enhance trainee professional skills and career readiness, and iv) Retain and graduate trainees in an appropriate timeframe. In summary, this training program is designed to develop a diverse group of scientists with the resources and skills needed for successful careers as independent scientists and educators in the biopharmaceutical workforce.
