PROJECT SUMMARY Mr. Andy Louis Garcia is an applicant for a diversity supplement under PA-21-071 for Dr. Gerard Ateshian’s NIH grant 5 R01 AR073289 02 for an individual that falls under the designation of Graduate (Predoctoral) Students. The Project Period: 03/01/2021 – 12/31/2022. Mr. Garcia, who graduated in May 2020 with his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from New York University, is a US citizen of Cuban decent (Hispanic), and will be staying at Columbia to earn his Master’s and PhD degrees. As Mr. Garcia’s expected PhD graduation date is May 2026, support is requested for 22 months, until the completion of the final funding period for the parent R01 grant (12/31/2022). We will provide validation metrics (e.g., demonstration that the applicant has been making progress toward his doctoral degree, such as completion of requisite coursework and research progress, as well as passing his doctoral qualifying examination) with the progress reports. The aforementioned has been discussed with Dr. Marisol Espinoza-Pintucci, Scientific Program Analyst at NIH/NIAMS. As permitted in the PA guidelines, Mr. Garcia will be paid a salary equivalent to our graduate research assistants (GRAs), $41,520 with balance up to the NIH minimum postdoctoral fellow salary ($52,704) for tuition. Additionally, we will be requesting $4000 to support supplies and travel for Mr. Garcia, as allotted in the PA.