Project Summary
The University of Chicago (UChicago) Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) is designed to
provide research training and educational opportunities for newly admitted PhD graduate students from groups
underrepresented (UR) in the biomedical and behavioral sciences and our programming is open to non-UR
students who would benefit from IMSD opportunities. The Program is tiered to focus intervention and
developmental activities to match the background preparation, research experience, and learning styles of
individual students as well as their stage of progression in graduate school. Students join the IMSD in the
Summer term upon entry to graduate studies, complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP) that will serve as
the roadmap for each student's course over their tenure in the UChicago IMSD, and participate in a Summer
Research Program that helps to integrate them into the Graduate Programs and prepare them for the rigors of
a UChicago graduate education. Navigation through rotations and coursework, as well as developing
communication and coping skills will be facilitated through Interactive Learning Modules (ILMs) and augmented
by peer and faculty mentoring. Support from the Program is provided for years one through three of graduate
school. Students remain members of the IMSD program while advancing to completion of the PhD, benefitting
from ILMs designed to hone scientific skills, enhance leadership skills, develop professional and networking
skills and explore career options. Although the Program is highly structured and logically organized, it is also
customizable depending on each student’s needs. This is accomplished by a newly developed skill-based
evaluation process implemented at key milestones. Faculty are actively engaged in improving their mentoring
and training skills, while all stakeholders work together toward a more diverse community of scholars. The
ultimate success of the IMSD Program is measured by completion of the students’ PhD programs, their long-
term success as biomedical scientists, and an increase in the diversity of the biomedical research community
over time.