# Transitional MARC-U-STAR-UPRM toward a Diversity Enhancement restructuring

> **NIH NIH T34** · UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MAYAGUEZ · 2021 · $235,412

## Abstract

Project Abstract
The MARC U-STAR Program, now in its 30th year at the University of Puerto
Rico-Mayaguez Campus, is designed to provide honors students with meaningful
research related experiences, and a special science curriculum, coupled to scientific
service learning and professional development activities that will propel their
competitiveness in pursuing doctoral programs in biomedical sciences. Twenty two
honors students from the biology, industrial microbiology, chemistry, industrial
biotechnology, and chemical engineering programs interested in a doctoral career in
biomedical sciences can become MARC trainees. Some of the proposed initiatives
include on- and off-campus research experiences, weekly workshops on academic skills
improvement, journal/book clubs, scientific dissemination among the general community,
K-12 outreach and relevant RCR training. Recruitment strategy for prospective MARC
students includes activities such as an orientation on biomedical research careers for
freshmen and sophomores, and an integrative research summer workshops designed to
encourage prospective trainees to develop new skills and methodologies in biomedical
research areas. The UPRM MARC program also provides faculty with ample
opportunities to enrich their science teaching and mentoring skills by fostering
professional development activities. The objectives of the MARC U-STAR Program at
UPRM are: 1) increase the knowledge (awareness) of freshmen and sophomore
students from participating academic programs (PAP) about research careers and
opportunities in biomedical sciences; 2) increase the excellence and number of
biomedical researchers from the PAP actively engaged in training, mentoring and role
modeling of the UPR-M MARC students; and 3) foster an effective undergraduate
research environment through activities and experiences that develop a meaningful
contemporary biomedical research culture.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10375847
- **Project number:** 3T34GM008419-30S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MAYAGUEZ
- **Principal Investigator:** Patricia Ortiz-Bermudez
- **Activity code:** T34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $235,412
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 1991-06-15 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10375847

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10375847, Transitional MARC-U-STAR-UPRM toward a Diversity Enhancement restructuring (3T34GM008419-30S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10375847. Licensed CC0.

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