PROJECT SUMMARY Ms. Sofia Barbosa is an applicant for a diversity supplement under PA-20-222 for Dr. Clark Hung’s NIH grant 1R21AR075245 - 01A1 for an individual that falls under the designation of Baccalaureate and Master's Degree Holders. The Project Period: 1/01/2021 – 12/31/2021. Ms. Barbosa, who graduated in May 2020 with her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Columbia University, is a US citizen of Mexican decent (Hispanic), and will be staying at Columbia to earn her Master’s degree before attending medical school. As Ms. Barbosa is currently planning to graduate in December 2021, support to cover 1 year of her time at Columbia, and provide a validation metric (e.g., demonstration that the applicant has been making progress toward applying for medical school) with the progress reports. The aforementioned has been discussed with Marisol Espinoza-Pintucci, Scientific Program Analyst at NIH/NIAMS. As permitted in the PA guidelines, Ms. Barbosa will be paid a salary equivalent to our graduate research assistants (GRAs), $41,519 with balance up to the NIH stipend and tuition cap amount ($52,704) for tuition. Additionally, we will be requesting $3000 to support supplies and travel for Ms. Barbosa, as allotted in the PA.