Our goal is to prepare students for top-tier biomedical PhD training programs through undergraduate research, professional development, and focused academic support.
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Congratulations to Senior U-RISE Scholars for outstanding presentations at UT-FURS 2022!
Edgar Torres, Betancourt Lab: 1st place, Chemistry 2 Division
Kiana Holland, Xue Lab: 1st Place, Molecular Biology 5 Division
Hannah Simpson, Du Lab: 1st Place, Molecular Biosciences 2 Division
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Meet our U-RISE Scholars!
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This NIH institutional training grant will ultimately support the undergraduate education and research training of 20-28 students. First-year students will be recruited into a 3-year training program with several benefits and opportunities for the trainees:
- Mentored undergraduate research at Texas State during the academic year;
- Financial support: 60% tuition reimbursement during long semesters, an annual living stipend (~$10,000, per NIH guidelines);
- Structured professional development (covering topics like responsible conduct of research, CV preparation, career and grad school exploration, applications for summer research experiences); and
- Fully supported summer undergraduate research experiences, including opportunities at our partnering R1 universities (including University of Texas Austin, University of Texas Health San Antonio, and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center)
Inaugural Year Programming
Pre-RISE Program
First-year students who are interested in science-related careers will have multiple opportunities to explore potential careers and increase awareness of graduate school preparation. Workshops during New Student Orientation will describe this opportunity for incoming first-years, and a targeted sections of US1100 will be taught by one of our grant program administrators. Additionally, we will host a series of hybrid seminars throughout the 2021-2022 academic year, designed for first-year students but welcoming students of all levels.
U-RISE Scholars
The grant will competitively award substantial financial and material support to four senior students in the 2021-2022 academic year. Appointment as a RISE Scholar will be in part based on undergraduate research experience, academic performance, and commitment to pursuing doctoral studies in the biomedical sciences; applications will open in August 2021. These four RISE Scholars will receive financial and material support for their continued undergraduate research training at Texas State as well as directed mentoring for their applications to top-tier biomedical sciences PhD programs. The senior RISE scholars will also participate in the Pre-RISE activities with first-year students, serving as peer mentors and leaders.
Research Preceptors
Our U-RISE Faculty Preceptors carry out biomedical-related research across multiple colleges and departments: College of Science and Engineering (Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biology), College of Applied Arts (Family and Consumer Sciences, Agriculture) and College of Education (Health and Human Performance). Preceptors for U-RISE Scholars will receive focused training in mentoring undergraduate research students and have the opportunity to join the National Research Mentor Network.
University-Wide Collaboration
We are grateful to have support from across the University for this program, including collaboration with the HSI-STEM Institute and the University Seminar program in University College, the College of Science and Engineering, and the Office of the Associate Vice President for Research.
Follow us on social media!
@txsturise
Funded by the National Institutes of Health – National Institute of General Medical Sciences (T34 GM136483), the Texas State University College of Science and Engineering, and the Texas State University Office of Research and Sponsored Projects.