North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE)
Abstract
The U-RISE program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (NC A&T) has,
as its overarching goal, the aim of cultivating and preparing an enthusiastic pool of undergraduate
scientists ready to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical science. This goal was established with the
expectation that students will master the skills and acquire the confidence necessary to make
substantial contributions to the field of biomedical research. Since the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) began funding NC A&T fifteen years ago, the university has seen a remarkable growth in
the number of underrepresented (UR) undergraduate students enrolling in and completing highly
competitive Ph.D. programs in the biomedical sciences. Prior to the NIH-funded training
programs, only a very small number of undergraduates every decade enrolled in Ph.D. programs
in fields related to biomedicine. We plan to maintain this track record of success in preparing
students for Ph.D. programs in the biomedical sciences while accepting and embracing the
difficulties of increasing the efficacy of our research and academic training. Each year, we will
choose six new talented underrepresented students to participate in a challenging and intensive
scientific curriculum and provide them with high-quality, thought-provoking research projects and
activities. We will also collaborate with the University Honor’s College to provide academic and
professional skill-building events with the goal of enhancing competitiveness for the Ph.D.
Additionally, the NC A&T U-RISE program will use best practices as the foundation for various
seminars, workshops, scientific literacy and communication series, community-building,
computational skills, colloquium, and honors courses. Our comprehensive training program
consists of the following goals: Goal 1: improving and enhancing computational and quantitative
skills; Goal 2: strengthening writing and science communication skills; and Goal 3: expanding
mentoring and early career alumni networks. To achieve our overall training goals, we will pursue
the following targets: Objective 1: At least 75% of participants will enter biomedical Ph.D.
programs. Objective 2: Ensure that U-RISE trainees are progressing in the research and
academic skills training that will enhance 1) success in completing an undergraduate STEM
degree and 2) success in Ph.D. programs. Objective 3: Expand our academic and scientific skills
training to enhance competitiveness and success in biomedical Ph.D. programs. Specifically,
training in computational and quantitative skills, enhancing scientific writing and communication
skills and building a strong early career alumni network.