U-RISE at the New Jersey Institute of Technology

Project Summary/Abstract Developing a skilled biomedical workforce is critical for future economic and societal success. The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is a public university with a focus on STEM education. As an R1 research-active university, NJIT’s vision is to provide undergraduate students with research training and mentorship to produce the future generation of scientists and engineers. This training proposal aims to combine the strengths of the NJIT Biomedical Engineering, Biological Sciences and Chemistry and Environmental Science Departments to support seven undergraduate students per year to participate in a three year biomedical research immersion program. NJIT draws students from over 100 countries and conducts extensive outreach to women and underrepresented populations in STEM disciplines, ranking in the top 20 of campus ethnic diversity. Embracing the diversity of students at NJIT, this program will emphasize the training of underrepresented groups, with the goal of increasing participation in research and the transitioning to graduate programs. This program will augment NJIT’s existing culture of inclusivity, engaging students from all racial backgrounds, national origins, gender preferences and abilities. Program Training Objectives: To accomplish our mission, the program intends to: 1) increase the number of fellowship-supported UG students committed to finishing a Bachelor’s Thesis 2) increase the number of underrepresented groups in research through engagement in self-directed learning-based research experiences, 3) retain trainees for the 3 year training period and graduate within the predicted time to graduation 4) foster science and engineering identity through asset-based individualized research experiences, 5) increase the number of students who choose to pursue a research-focused higher degree program in a biomedical field, and 6) enhance the visibility and competitiveness of NJIT trainees in the biomedical field. Our overall training approach will be based on the Staged Self-Directed Learning model as a framework for a structured training program to assist students to grow into self-directed learners. The program comprises didactic training, career development activities, individualized mentorship, and two semesters of research for credit culminating in an undergraduate thesis and scientific dissemination. As an urban technological university serving one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the country, we hope to utilize this training program to prepare a competitive cohort of undergraduate students who, as future scientists and engineers, would help diversify the field of biomedical research.