# Cornell Initiative for Maximizing Student Development

> **NIH NIH R25** · CORNELL UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $471,327

## Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract
This is a new proposal to establish an Initiative to Maximize Student Development at Cornell University
(Cornell IMSD). This proposal aims to increase the number of both underrepresented minority students, and
disabled students, in biological and biomedical science graduate programs at Cornell, while also preparing
them for successful future careers. The proposed program will support 10 PhD students enrolled in any of 11
life science graduate programs at Cornell. The strength of the program is its intense focus on mentoring and
retention, its broad reach across the Cornell campus, with 60 faculty from 11 graduate programs in the
biological and biomedical sciences (Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology,
Biophysics, Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Immunology & Infectious Disease, Pharmacology, Molecular &
Integrative Physiology, Genetics Genomics & Development, Microbiology, Neurobiology & Behavior, Nutrition),
representing 7 departments and 5 colleges. The Cornell IMSD has 3 achievable and quantifiable specific aims:
1) Recruit 10 underrepresented minority/disabled IMSD students to the 11 graduate programs in biological and
biomedical sciences at Cornell; 2) Provide individually tailored and IMSD specific academic, research and
career development activities to prepare CIMSD Scholars for successful research careers. 3) Retain and
mentor IMSD Scholars so that 90% of them graduate with their PhD and with high quality/impact papers. In
collaborating with the 11 participating graduate programs, the Cornell IMSD will accomplish these aims by:
enhanced outreach activities; utilizing a unique graduate admission process; focusing on creative use of the
Individual Development Plan (IDP); enhanced research training opportunities; IMSD summer courses; intense
writing and oral presentation skill training; exercises that foster creativity; broad academic training
opportunities; social integration; providing comprehensive opportunities for broadening experiences in scientific
training; heavy mentoring; and preparation for postdoctoral training. Our benchmarks for success are that
IMSD Scholars successfully complete PhD programs, with high impact/quality publications, and prepared for a
career in research as leaders in their chosen careers, be those careers academic or non-academic. We expect
that these activities will result in increased numbers of students traditionally underrepresented in biomedical
sciences and disabled students graduating from graduate programs in biological and biomedical sciences at
Cornell.
PHS 398/2590 (Rev. 09/04) Page 2 Continuation Format Page

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10359696
- **Project number:** 5R25GM125597-05
- **Recipient organization:** CORNELL UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Avery August
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $471,327
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-03-01 → 2025-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10359696

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10359696, Cornell Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (5R25GM125597-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10359696. Licensed CC0.

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