USD SEEDS-T32 - The Scientific Excellence and Experiential Development for Scholars T32 (SEEDS-T32) at the University of South Dakota aims to transform how we train the next generation of biomedical scientists, equipping them to lead the future of the biomedical workforce in South Dakota and beyond. Aligning with South Dakota’s “Grow Our Own” STEM initiative, SEEDS-T32 develops scholars who are resourceful, resilient, and workforce-ready, and who are prepared to meet the critical regional and national needs for highly skilled biomedical researchers. USD offers a rare training ecosystem: as the state’s only academic medical center and one of only two Carnegie-classified doctoral universities with high research activity in a rural IDEA state, it provides a powerful nexus for trans-departmental training spanning the Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Biology, and Sustainability Ph.D. programs. SEEDS-T32 blends mentor-guided, hypothesis-driven research with advanced coursework, microcredentialing in high-demand skills, and structured professional development in scientific communication, data analytics, and research rigor. Trainees gain real-world, career-aligned experiences through informational interviews, teaching practicums, industry-embedded internships, shadowing, and Individual Development Plans (IDPs), while cohort-building activities, including graduate student-led retreats, cross-disciplinary workshops and seminars, and collaborative symposia, create a vibrant, supportive scholarly community. Our objectives include: (1) Expand NIH- supported graduate training and trans-departmental integration; (2) Foster excellence in research rigor and independent scholarship; (3) Advance career readiness through experiential learning and personalized IDPs; (4) Develop interdisciplinary communication and in-demand technical skillsets; and (5) Ensure strong, evidence-based mentorship with continuous program improvement by an engaged Executive Committee and external advisors. Trainees will be selected in their first year of doctoral study and supported for up to two years, with continued engagement in the program activities through graduation. By uniting rigorous science with intentional career preparation, SEEDS-T32 will produce resilient, research-ready scientists who will strengthen the region’s biomedical enterprise and drive innovation across academia, industry, government, and beyond.
