# Motivating Innovation and Research Achievement (MIRA)

> **NIH NIH R25** · WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $216,152

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
WSU's MIRA is an ESTEEMED Program that increases the diversity of the biomedical workforce by providing
meritorious students from underrepresented and/or disadvantaged backgrounds with the tools and experience
needed for success in college and as applicants to research-based graduate programs in the biomedical
sciences. Increasing the diversity of the biomedical workforce is the first step in investigating health disparities
across America and providing innovative, effective solutions. By adapting and adopting evidence-based
practices and interventions in novel ways, MIRA will provide a supportive environment that will develop
underrepresented undergraduate scholars' academic and research potential. Specifically this program gives
students the skills, strategies, and cultural acumen to overcome systematic obstacles and flourish in the
biomedical workforce.
MIRA will achieve these outcomes by:
 1. Building community through mentoring, motivation, monitoring, and advising.
 2. Creating an environment of support and motivation that will socially integrate students into the WSU
 STEM community.
 3. Facilitating academic integration with academic advising and an enriched curriculum in areas of
 professional development, science communication, and professional writing.
 4. Increasing student research expertise and confidence as a scientist and professional.
 5. Integrating students into the culture of biomedical research with research preparation courses, seminars,
 and workshops.
 6. Enhancing the undergraduate research experience with attendance and presentations at local and
 national symposiums.
 7. Increasing the number of underrepresented minority students engaged in a productive research
experience.
 8. Transitioning students to 3rd and 4th year research experiences in the Honors program.
The WSU MIRA program will measure success using individual student progress in critical thinking, writing,
and speaking skills, completion of advanced coursework in the sciences and engineering, the cultivation and
practice of research skills, and the matriculation of MIRA scholars into doctoral-level programs in the
biomedical sciences. The successful progression of MIRA scholars into biomedical careers represents a
pathway for increased diversity of the biomedical workforce, and consequently for improved wellbeing of
underserved communities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10263303
- **Project number:** 5R25EB027606-02
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Samantha Gizerian
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $216,152
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-15 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10263303

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10263303, Motivating Innovation and Research Achievement (MIRA) (5R25EB027606-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10263303. Licensed CC0.

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