SJSU U-RISE Program
ABSTRACT
The SJSU U-RISE Program is committed to its mission to support the training of underrepresented
students to succeed in PhD or MD/PhD programs in the biomedical sciences, just like our previous
commitment to NIGMS training programs for the past 33 years. The administrative staff of our U-
RISE is made of one PI who is a former MARC director, one Co-PI (a current RISE program
coordinator), and a student coordinator; all three from minority backgrounds. In addition, we have
a highly motivated group of research mentors and a committed institutional administrative staff
who endorse the mission of this prestigious NIGMS program in its entirety. SJSU is a public, PUI
Hispanic Serving Institution, with a large pool of underrepresented students (26%) in the U-RISE
serving departments, which can greatly benefit from the opportunities facilitated by this program.
Recruitment will rely on the ample school database with potential URM applicants, announcements
via website and class visitations, and recommendations from our diligent research faculty. Our
specific and measurable aims incorporate training of mentors to emphasize a student-centered
approach that leads U-RISE trainees to become independent critical thinkers engaged in
meaningful research projects. Trainees will be paired with one mentor whose research aligns with
that of the trainee. To launch trainees into a successful first-year research experience, we will offer
workshop activities that rely on rigor and reproducible approaches that combine hands-on
laboratory techniques and critical thinking skills, followed by a research experience in the PI’s lab.
By the second year, trainees will go away for a summer research experience at a research-
intensive institution. Required components of the program include independent and meaningful
research experience throughout the 2 years in the program, participation in a weekly seminar
during the academic year to learn about professional skills, work on all the documents for
applications to summer programs (first year) and PhD or MD/PhD applications (2nd year) as well
as presentation skills in preparation to present at one of the National Conferences (e.g., SACNAS,
ABRCMS). Additional mentoring will be provided by graduates from our former training programs
who are now in graduate school or are professionals in a range of jobs (academic, industry,
government) in the biomedical sciences and from postdoctoral fellows from Stanford University.
Outcomes will be disseminated through various means, including public websites, posters in the
science building, recordings of trainees’ testimonies, classrooms visitations, during freshman
orientation, and STEM events such as our Student Research Day.