# The Meharry RISE initiative

> **NIH NIH R25** · MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE · 2021 · $1,214,040

## Abstract

The goal of the proposed Meharry RISE program is to significantly increase the
number of minority students pursuing biomedical and behavioral sciences research
careers by involving them in a program of excellence.
 Meharry Medical College has a strong record of graduating Ph.D.s in biomedical
science disciplines, many of whom enter academic institutions where they continue the
tradition of teaching, research and service that is a part of our mission. The College as a
whole has a proven commitment to educating underrepresented minorities. Since 1972,
the Graduate School has awarded 281 Ph.D.s in Biomedical Sciences. Therefore, it has
a proven record of preparing students for research careers with a strong focus in
diseases that disproportionally affect minorities. The RISE program, has supported 172
students since 1999 and so far, 92 scholars graduated with a PhD. The RISE program
has contributed to the development of our students by providing competent research
training coupled with excellent education opportunities.
 Continuing funding of the Meharry RISE program will allow us, together with other
programs at Meharry, to provide the infrastructure and activities needed to continue to
graduate more minorities in biomedical and behavioral science at the doctoral level.
 Three specific aims are proposed in the current RISE application: 1) Provide
excellent research training for URM students to successfully complete requirements for
the Ph.D. degree; 2) Provide students with a career development curriculum to
strengthen the research career continuum of our trainees through the RISE Career
Development Office; 3) Strengthen the relationship between mentors and mentees in
order to enhance the graduate training experience.
 A set of well-defined activities has been developed to help transition Ph.D. students
into research careers in biomedical sciences. These activities involve enhancement of
student training with specialty courses such Advances in Molecular Biology as well as
Bioinformatics/Big Data, development of a career development curriculum, as well as
research opportunities in the training areas of the RISE Ph.D. students.
 The overall objective of the Meharry RISE program is to provide students in the
Graduate School at Meharry Medical College with enhanced opportunities to ensure
their transition to successful and productive research careers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10227057
- **Project number:** 5R25GM059994-22
- **Recipient organization:** MEHARRY MEDICAL COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Evangeline D Motley-Johnson
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $1,214,040
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1999-08-01 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10227057

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10227057, The Meharry RISE initiative (5R25GM059994-22). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10227057. Licensed CC0.

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