# IMSD: An Initiative to Maximize Student Development in Biomedical Research at MU

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA · 2022 · $536,702

## Abstract

The University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) proposes to develop a new T32 training program that
will train predoctoral graduate students from groups that are underrepresented in biomedical
research to become successful scientists pursuing careers in the biomedical workforce.
Underrepresented (UR) groups include students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds
(underrepresented minorities or URM) as well as students with disabilities. The mission of our
training program is to facilitate the transformation of our trainees into independent scientists who
are active producers of new biomedical knowledge and are adept at solving the complex
problems of disease and illnesses that adversely affect human health. To accomplish this
mission, we have established the following six objectives: Objective #1: To increase the
participation of UR students in the participating biomedical predoctoral programs from the
current level of 16% to 20%, such that our programs reflect the diversity of the state of
Missouri’s population. Objective #2: To improve the PhD completion rate of UR students in the
participating biomedical predoctoral programs from the current level of 84% to 90%, such that
UR students complete their PhD at the same rate as students from well-represented
backgrounds. Objective #3: To equip our trainees with the skills to communicate their science,
such that 30% of UR trainees in the participating programs are awarded external fellowships
during their predoctoral training. Objective #4: To increase the number of publications by our
trainees, such that our UR PhD graduates will publish, on average, 2 first-author papers while
contributing to, on average, 2 additional publications over the course of their doctoral training.
Objective #5: To strengthen the inclusive and supportive nature of our training environment, as
well as improve the mentoring skills of our faculty. Objective #6: To develop robust levels of
science self-efficacy, science identity, perceived supports, and satisfaction with mentoring
relationships among UR trainees, all of which are predictors of academic satisfaction and
persistence outcomes among students from UR backgrounds. The IMSD T32 program will
implement a wide-ranging set of programmatic activities to achieve the stated Objectives. The
programmatic activities, based on best practices for retention of students from UR backgrounds,
as described in the literature, will develop the technical, operational and professional skills
that will enable our trainees to flourish in their independent scientific careers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10333313
- **Project number:** 5T32GM135744-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA
- **Principal Investigator:** MARK HANNINK
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $536,702
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-02-01 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10333313

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10333313, IMSD: An Initiative to Maximize Student Development in Biomedical Research at MU (5T32GM135744-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10333313. Licensed CC0.

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