# The Mayo Clinic IMSD: Developing scientists through disease-relevant research

> **NIH NIH R25** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 2021 · $476,587

## Abstract

The long-running and successful IMSD at Mayo Graduate School (MGS) will maintain and advance
its proven approaches to promoting the success of students from backgrounds historically
underrepresented (UR) in careers that promote biomedical research. We propose renewed funding to
achieve the following four specific aims:
Aim 1: Recruit and matriculate 4/5 (alternating) new UR IMSD PhD students each year during grant years
22 – 26 to participate in IMSD for the first 2 years of their PhD training (supporting 9 students per year).
This tactic has the potential to assure at least 15% UR students in MGS entering classes
Aim 2: Maintain an excellent, evaluated curriculum of independent research, communication skills training,
near-peer mentoring, and social support.
Achievement of PhD milestones such as passing qualifying exams, completion of PhD, publications,
presentations, and fellowship awards will be monitored.
Aim 3: Involve IMSD students in organizing a biennial Mayo-hosted IMSD/PREP scientific conference
including IMSD recruitment outreach to pipeline undergrad/post-baccalaureate programs.
Students lead in all aspects of conference organization and management developing leadership skills and
promoting self-efficacy.
Aim 4: Expose IMSD students to MGS Career Development Internships (CDI) during graduate school years
1-2.
IMSD familiarizes students with biomedical research careers different from those of their mentors
 Our experience shows that the central focus for success is an excellent mentored PhD thesis
research project. As Alex Ommaya, acting chief scientific officer of the Association of American Medical
Colleges has stated, a key focus for the future must also be to "...ensure that graduate students are trained
in skills such as communication, teaching, management, and teamwork..." We completely agree, and these
goals are reflected in the four specific aims of our renewal proposal. Aims 1-2 are based on experience
gained from analysis of 21 years of IMSD programming at MGS and will sustain and improve the proven
tactics that form the core impact of the MGS IMSD. Aims 3 and 4 bring creative and novel experiences to
IMSD students, and are both based on extremely successful pilot programs, assuring them of success and
high impact.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10112912
- **Project number:** 5R25GM055252-25
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Luis Lujan
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $476,587
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1996-09-30 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10112912

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10112912, The Mayo Clinic IMSD: Developing scientists through disease-relevant research (5R25GM055252-25). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10112912. Licensed CC0.

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