The U-RISE program at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus (UPR-RP) will mainly support
the biomedical programs at the Departments of Chemistry and Biology of the College of Natural Sciences.
The goals of U-RISE at UPR-RP are to increase the number of underrepresented students that will
successfully complete a doctoral degree in a biomedical related area. Our measurable goal will be that
more than 90% of the trainees filling the 30 yearly slots will pursue research doctorates, while more than
90% of those continuing doctoral studies will do so at stateside institutions. The program will achieve and
maintain competitiveness of a diversified cohort of 30 undergraduate students in their research areas by
broadening, strengthening and enhancing their research, academic and professional skills. These goals
will be achieved by a continuous research experience, workshops and seminars designed to improve
professional skills, attendance and presentation of results at national scientific meetings such as
ABRCMS, seminar series in the frontiers of cellular, molecular and chemical biology, area conferences
in themes of mutual interest to research groups at UPR-RP, improvement of student’s proficiency in
English to communicate their scientific results, workshops and seminars for professional skill
development in laboratory safety, improvement of student’s skills to manage time and stress while
seeking a balance between undergraduate studies and personal life, among others. Close to 100% of
the trainees will participate in extramural summer research and 90% of these will continue graduate
studies at an institution where they spent a summer or other similar graduate institution. In addition,
students will receive training in responsible conduct of research, ethics, and instruction in methods for
enhancing reproducibility. Each year, at least five graduating seniors will apply to the NSF or other
predoctoral fellowships. Our training results will be properly disseminated among the scientific community
by different means as well as the U-RISE student academic achievements.