# Initiative to Maximize Student Diversity at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center 2021

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIS CTR · 2022 · $228,414

## Abstract

This application for an Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) T32 program at the University of
New Mexico Health Sciences Center (UNM-HSC) requests support for predoctoral trainees within the umbrella
Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program (BSGP). The BSGP provides a broad base of academic coursework
followed by in-depth training in a chosen discipline with a research mentor. The goal of this IMSD program is
supplement with additional training activities in writing and speaking, a strong cohort peer-mentoring program
and additional institutional support programs. The program aims to increase the number of PhD graduates from
underrepresented groups entering the Biomedical workforce through enhanced recruitment, retention and
career development programs.
Our location in a majority-minority state along with a history of training students from underrepresented minority
(URM) groups, first generation college students and students from rural and low socioeconomic backgrounds will
assist recruitment of IMSD-targeted trainees. A long record of successfully recruiting and training students
from these groups is shown in the BSGP student population where more than one-third of current PhD students
are from URM backgrounds. Additionally, the IMSD leadership has developed relationships with regional
institutions with large populations of undergraduate students from underrepresented populations that we will
utilize to further increase recruitment of IMSD-targeted groups.
A proposed system of Learning Communities will provide faculty and peer mentoring in a culturally supportive
environment to assist retention and student success. Each Learning Community includes a faculty mentor from
an URM group along with IMSD students from each academic class to provide a safe place to discuss
challenges and celebrate successes with peers. Students are introduced to Learning Communities at a four-
week summer program that orients students to the UNM-HSC campus, provides an opportunity to begin their
first research rotation and uses cohort building exercises and training workshops to integrate new students into
the UNM community and to individual Learning Communities.
After summer orientation, students have two semesters of core coursework before choosing a research mentor
to oversee their dissertation research. All research mentors must complete rigorous training and will be reviewed
annually. Career development programs will expose students to non-academic careers in biomedical sciences
including a seminar series in Non-Academic Careers, networking exercises and options to get a transcripted
certificate in University Science Teaching and a concentration in Science and Technology Management.
More than fifty productive and collaborative faculty members from basic science and clinical departments are
available to serve as faculty research mentors while Learning Community mentors and education specialists
will provide non-research mentoring. Students will be selec...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10358955
- **Project number:** 1T32GM144834-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIS CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Nancy L Kanagy
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $228,414
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-02-01 → 2027-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10358955

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10358955, Initiative to Maximize Student Diversity at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center 2021 (1T32GM144834-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10358955. Licensed CC0.

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