Wednesday, April 24, 2024
4/24/2024
UVI MARC Project Summary The MARC program at the University of Virgin Islands (UVI) is requesting supplemental funds to allow for the current students in the MARC program to complete their degrees. What is proposed is a continuation of the original UVI MARC program with the same objectives and activities as before. The MARC Program at the University of the Virgin Islands, a unique undergraduate HBCU, proposes to use a holistic program of student development to build on its strong record of previous success to train students as biomedical researchers contributing to the diversity of the biomedical workforce and the NIH mission. The overall goal of this program is that 80% of UVI MARC graduates will enroll in doctoral programs. Of the 18 MARC graduates from 2016-2020, 14 (77.8%) enrolled in a doctoral program. This supplement proposes to continue with the four remaining students who will be seniors in 2021-2022. UVI’s comprehensive approach includes MARC students, current pre-MARC students, and indeed all UVI undergraduates with interest in science. The measurable objectives are that the program will: (1) provide students with a rigorous curriculum that develops both verbal and quantitative skills; (2) provide research training opportunities both through extramural summer research experiences and through academic year experiences designed to prepare students for these opportunities; (3) provide students with a clearly articulated career pathway to admission to highly selective research universities and a structure for success; (4) develop strong partnerships with research-intensive institutions, including T32 funded programs; (5) develop professional networks for UVI students and faculty; (6) increase the students’ understanding of the biomedical research needs relevant to the U.S. Virgin Islands and minority communities nationally. These objectives will be accomplished by an integrated program including: (1) a rigorous MARC curriculum including research classroom experiences designed to build student skills and increase competitiveness combined with faculty development to improve pedagogy, (2) extramural research training, (2) presentations of results at conferences, (3) visits by scientists, providing students with biomedical research seminars, workshops, and opportunities to interact with role models and expand their professional networks, (4) special workshops designed to provide the steps in a clear career pathway, (5) a network of support by UVI faculty, peers, and summer research mentors. An external evaluator, Carmen Sidbury, PhD, will provide perspectives in formative and summative evaluation. The UVI MARC program combines highly competitive partners and exciting new initiatives at UVI to continue to improve its historical record of producing minority PhDs (2-3 MARC graduates a year).
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
