# UAB STEP-UP: Promoting Diversity through Mentored Research Experiences (UAB STEP-UP)

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2021 · $262,828

## Abstract

Although there have been numerous efforts to increase the number of underrepresented researchers in
universities across the country, there continues to be a lack of diversity in most disciplines, including the
biomedical sciences. We will leverage our experience in training underrepresented minority students and our
expertise and connections related to NIDDK mission areas to ensure that we are inspiring and developing the
next generation of NIDDK researchers. The specific aims of UAB STEP-UP: Promoting Diversity through
Mentored Research Experiences (UAB STEP-UP) include: 1) training promising and diverse undergraduate
students from across the country by developing a career roadmap for each, to include hands-on mentored
research experiences and career development opportunities; 2) utilizing existing research networks to develop
a cadre of mentors invested in training undergraduate students to conduct research in the areas of diabetes
and other endocrine and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases, nutritional disorders, and obesity; and kidney,
urologic and hematologic diseases; 3) adapting successful on-site training programs into effective distance
learning activities targeting NIDDK content areas and preparation for graduate school and/or future careers in
research; 4) utilizing a combination of human interaction (i.e., Program Manager, Institutional Coordinators,
mentors and other trainees) and virtual tools (e.g., web-based instruction, videoconferencing and social media)
to ensure that trainees receive individual and continuous attention for several years as a cohort of learners;
and 5) continuously evaluating the program and its implementation to allow for quality improvement and mid-
course corrections.
 The UAB STEP-UP Coordinating Center will select motivated, promising undergraduate students who
have completed their freshman year and provide them with the organizational, academic and research skills
needed to be competitive. Elements include an intensive mentored research experience for 10 weeks in the
summer (30 hours/week) enhanced by virtual group learning activities (10 hours/week), and followed by
distance learning as part of a virtual learning cohort during Years 1 and 2. This is followed by virtual
maintenance training during Year 3, to maintain interest and investment in the program. During this time,
trainees will develop working relationships with academic researchers and will be involved with the processes
and products of cutting-edge research. Although intensive training is provided only during the summer, we
have designed a program with a UAB-based Program Manager and on-site Institutional Coordinators, who will
help ensure that trainees remain connected to the program through virtual learning approaches and social
media platforms throughout the entire year. They will facilitate contact for training, continued mentoring,
evaluation and – importantly – to maintain connection with the program.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10102232
- **Project number:** 5R25DK113652-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** MONA N. FOUAD
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $262,828
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-03-01 → 2022-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10102232

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10102232, UAB STEP-UP: Promoting Diversity through Mentored Research Experiences (UAB STEP-UP) (5R25DK113652-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10102232. Licensed CC0.

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