PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Lehman College, the only CUNY senior College in the Bronx, is the cultural and
educational center of the borough. The Lehman student body is 72% female, 50%
Hispanic, 35% African American, 70% low-income and 57% first in their family to attend
college. This proposal supports the Lehman College mission to provide avenues to
prosperity for Bronx families. The long-term goals are to ensure that Lehman’s
undergraduate population, particularly students underrepresented in science and/or from
low-income households, are able to participate significantly in the research enterprise
and are well-mentored and well-prepared to seek post-graduate study and pursue
successful careers in the biomedical research fields.
The aim of this proposal is to ensure that undergraduate students are admitted to and
succeed in Ph.D. programs in the biomedical sciences by combining recruitment and
academic support to build a pool of potential U-RISE Scholars with training in research,
non-cognitive skills and career development for U-RISE Scholars.
Our rationale is that upon completion of the proposed training, students will have
acquired the technical and career-building skills required to complete a Ph.D. in the
biomedical sciences or pursue careers in biomedical research.
Our Specific Aims are to:
1) Provide course support and research exposure to introductory science students
to build a large pool of potential U-RISE students and support all students to
succeed in their degree completion.
2) Select 4 U-RISE scholars per year (steady state of 8 students in a cohort) and
provide them with outstanding research experiences and a support network to
ensure that 100% graduate with a BA or BS in Biology or Chemistry, pursue an
advanced degree in biomedical research, and succeed in their post-graduate
education.
We will also imbed a culture of mentoring, ethics and data reproducibility, and evaluate
program elements under the guidance of a professional evaluator.