NMSU MBRS RISE TO EXCELLENCE

RISE TO THE DOCTORATE

A Professional Development Research Program for Undergraduates

(Minority Biomedical Research Support  -  Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement)

NIH R25GM061222

 

The NMSU MBRS RISE to Excellence Program is a research-oriented program sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  Its primary objective is to diversify the community of Ph.D. researchers in the biomedical/biobehavioral sciences.

The NMSU RISE to Excellence Program encourages applications from minorities underrepresented in the sciences, first generation college students, military veterans, students with financial need (work-study eligible), disabled students, and students who have faced obstacles to obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career.  Students are selected for RISE to the Doctorate in the fall and spring and immediately enter a RISE laboratory to conduct research under the guidance of a RISE faculty mentor.   

 

EXPECTATIONS            BENEFITS            PREREQUISITES           HOW TO APPLY            ACTIVITIES   

 

 

 

RISE PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS FOR RISE TO THE DOCTORATE SCHOLARS

The RISE Program provides research and academic support for students with the potential to achieve a PhD and become leaders in biomedical/biobehavioral research. Students are expected to participate in mentored research training, to attend all professional development activities [e.g. GRE and writing workshops, seminars] and to disseminate research results through web pages, conference presentations, and/or publications. Students are expected to complete safety training, to abide by the safety guidelines established in their laboratories, to fulfill responsible conduct in research education, to abide by the professional standards of their chosen discipline, and to respond promptly to requests by the RISE Program office.

Students showcase their achievements by assembling a professional portfolio that is submitted for yearly review. During senior year, students are expected to apply to five (5) graduate schools and to attend and present at a scientific national conference that provides professional development workshops for students [e.g. SACNAS, ABRCMS, ASCB, SFN, ASM].  The program provides guidance that enables committed students to successfully fulfill program expectations.

The RISE Program recognizes that the key to success is the match between the student and mentor.  The Program office will work with students and mentors to identify the best fit between students and mentors taking into account the diversity of research interests, laboratory practices, and mentor-student expectations of the research experience.

 

PROGRAM BENEFITS

Undergraduates accepted into the MBRS-RISE Program will:

  • Work closely with one of the RISE faculty mentors on individual research projects.
  • Earn $9.00 an hour working between 10-20 hours/week during the academic year and up to 40 hours/week during the summer.   Students can earn up to $10,000 per year.
  • Receive year-round student-only health insurance.
  • Be considered for paid travel to attend professional meetings with a RISE mentor. 
  • Participate in professional development activities and workshops (e.g., how to apply to graduate school, GRE preparation, professional communication skills).
  • Join a large community of mentors and students who share research and professional interests.

 

 

Prerequisites for Admission

1.       Be sincerely interested in a biomedical/biobehavioral career with relevance for human health and be willing to extend your education beyond a baccalaureate degree to achieve it.

2.       Have a desire to get a head start toward a professional science career by participating in academic research sponsored by the RISE program.

3.       Be a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national, or a permanent resident.  You must submit documents supporting your status prior to admittance to the program (e.g. passport, birth certificate, INS-551 form).

4.       Be in good academic standing and have a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.75. 

5.       Must be enrolled full-time (12 credit hours) on main campus. 

6.       Must have completed two (2) lower-division science courses required by your major and/or by the university’s General Education program with at least a C in each.

7.       Fulfill NMSU Student Employment Office Eligibility requirements.

8.       May be asked to demonstrate financial need.

9.       Student may be required to pass an NMSU background security check before position offer can be finalized.

 

 HOW TO APPLY

 

Applications are available from Ms. Linda Amezquita, Records Specialist, in Foster Hall Room 365, between 1-5 pm.   Ms. Amezquita can be reached at 505-646-8040, or by email at lamezqui@nmsu.edu. 

 

Return the required application materials:

 

In person (preferred):

 

Cathilia Flores <caflores@nmsu.edu>

MBRS-RISE Coordinator

Foster Hall Room 369. 

 

Or, by mail to: 

 

MBRS-RISE Program, Biology Department

PO Box 30001, MSC 3AF

New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM  88003-8001.


 

 

PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

 

Students typically are admitted at the beginning of fall semester. The following plan of activity is designed for students who enter during Sophomore year. Occasionally there are openings in January and May. 

 

Students who enter at a later date in their academic career will develop an individual multi-year plan in consultation with their mentor and the RISE program office.

 

Sophomore Academic Year (Fall and Spring):

·         Begin participation and training in individual biomedical research under direct mentorship of a RISE faculty member, 10- 20 hours/week during academic semesters.

·         Attend  RISE Program-supported Graduate School Preparation Workshops and/or complete RISE Professional Development course

·         Enroll in English 218G, “Technical and Scientific Writing” or equivalent.

·         Fulfill Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) education requirements

·         Participate in NMSU Honors College Undergraduate Research Symposium (Spring)

 

Sophomore Year Summer I and Summer II:

·         Continue research with RISE faculty member, 30-40 hrs/week, 10-12 weeks.

·         Fulfill GRE (Graduate Record Examination) Preparation Requirements

·         Attend Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) summer seminars

·         Submit Personal Professional Achievement portfolio and RISE reapplication for review

Junior Academic Year (Fall and Spring):

·         Continue research, 10- 20 hours/week during academic semesters

·         Submit application for research externships

·         Attend  RISE Program-supported Graduate School Preparation Workshops and/or complete RISE Professional Development course 

·         Fulfill GRE (Graduate Record Examination) Preparation Requirements

·         Take GRE

·         Participate in NMSU Honors College Undergraduate Research Symposium (Spring)

·         Submit abstract to SACNAS or ABRCMS

Junior Year Summer I and Summer II:

·         Participation in collaborative research projects or externships at other research institutions or continue research at NMSU, 30-40 hrs/week, 10-12 weeks.

·         Attend Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) summer seminars

·         Submit Personal Professional Achievement portfolio and RISE reapplication for review

 

Senior Academic Year (Fall and Spring):

·         Continue research, 10- 20 hours/week during academic semesters

·         Attend SACNAS or ABRCMS and present poster or platform talk on research.

·         Take GRE again to improve score if necessary (Fall).

·         Apply to a minimum of five (5) graduate schools.  Acceptance to graduate school does not obligate the student to attend graduate school.

·         Attend  RISE Program-supported Graduate School Preparation Workshops and/or complete RISE Professional Development course

·         Selected students take University 350 course, “Preparing to Teach Workshop (Fall only).

·         University 350 students may also serve as teaching assistants in an introductory biology or chemistry laboratory course (Spring only).

·         Participate in NMSU Honors College Undergraduate Research Symposium (Spring)

·         Attend RISE Graduation Ceremony