Peach State Bridges to the Doctorate - Project Summary
Advancement of science is enhanced when researchers have diverse backgrounds, talents, and perspectives to
stimulate innovative and creative approaches that address healthcare challenges. The talent, experiences, and
participation of students from underrepresented groups has been demonstrated to be starkly low in science,
technology, and engineering and are worse at the doctoral levels of training and beyond. This project seeks to
establish the Peach State Bridges to the Doctorate Program (PSB2D) at Kennesaw State University, in
partnership with the University of Georgia, to increase the number of underrepresented students entering
doctoral programs in the biomedical sciences. The innate abilities of these students will be refined and polished
after matriculation through our Master of Science in Integrative Biology (MSIB) or Master of Science in Chemistry
and Biochemistry (MSCB) degree programs. In combination with the training and guidance provided by the
PSB2D program, successful students will transition into doctoral programs in the biomedical sciences. Four
ambitious objectives have been set to achieve this goal: (1) recruit five underrepresented students per year for
five years that seek a master’s degree as a bridge into a biomedical doctoral (PhD) program; (2) retain and (3)
train at least 80% of PSB2D students and provide truly exceptional graduate research opportunities; (4) facilitate
the successful transition of at least 80% of PSB2D students into doctoral programs in the biomedical sciences.
Taking advantage of multiple recruitment avenues, a pool of aspirational UR students will be competitively
selected into the PSB2D program. Successful applicants will display an expressed interest in pursuing a
biomedical PhD or MD/PhD. Directed research and enrichment activities are planned for the two-year
appointment of each Bridges trainee. The first year will feature training in foundational research skills,
responsible conduct, methods to enhance reproducibility, thesis development, and workshops to prepare
trainees for doctoral program applications in the fall. Monthly Bridges meetings will build inclusiveness, respect,
scientific identity, socialization, cohesion, and scientific communication. The second year will focus on doctoral
interview preparation, in addition to further research training. PSB2D scholars will receive peer and faculty
mentoring throughout the two-year appointment. Networking opportunities with biomedical professionals
(academia, industry, private sector) will be featured in seminars. An advisory committee will oversee program
effectiveness. Using the above measurable objectives, survey instruments will be deployed by an external
evaluator to assess mentee training and mentor effectiveness. We will modify our program as needed, based on
assessment outcomes. Results will be disseminated by our program website, conference proceedings, and
journal articles. If we are successful, we will help NIH diversify the voices and talents of the biomedical workforce
by matriculating at least 16 Bridges trainees into biomedical PhD programs over the five years of this project.
