# STaRS at BU - Summer Training as Research Scholars at Boston University

> **NIH NIH R25** · BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS · 2022 · $184,884

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The Summer Training as Research Scholars (STaRS) at Boston University (BU) is a growing program
designed to attract outstanding undergraduate and early medical school students from backgrounds
traditionally underrepresented in the biomedical sciences and help ignite in them a passion for biomedical
research. It helps these students to see themselves as future scientists and prepares them for entering a
career in research. The STaRS Program is centered on mentored experiences on cutting edge research
conducted by Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) faculty with a particular focus on disease-oriented
projects in heart, lung and blood diseases. STaRS integrates fundamental strengths of BUSM, including first
class faculty, outstanding research and academic infrastructure and an energetic and diverse campus
community. The synergy of these factors creates a positive, success-oriented training program. STaRS
encourages and prepares undergraduate students to pursue graduate and other health profession careers.
STaRS makes early career medical students acquainted with the important role of health professionals in the
biomedical research enterprise, by enhancing their knowledge, interest, and accessibility to the biomedical
research world, and increasing their readiness to becoming physician-scientists. In addition to excellent
research experiences that foster their technical and critical thinking skills, the program offers career
development seminars, workshops and advising designed to build self-confidence, improve communication
skills, learn about different career paths within biomedical research, and network with faculty and potential
mentors. The learning experience is aimed at increasing the student's ability to self-assess, plan and follow
steps necessary to successfully apply to graduate/medical school or advance in their research careers. STaRS
is also a valuable programmatic bridge that builds diversity at BUSM and serves as a forum for BUSM faculty,
students and administrators of all backgrounds to discuss and appreciate the importance of diversity in science
and education. In this renewal application we propose: 1.to continue recruiting and training high quality and
culturally sensitive mentors and mentoring teams that understand the potential challenges of their trainees with
the goal of providing superb training experiences for students of underrepresented backgrounds in biomedical
research; 2. to recruit and train ten undergraduate students and 6 early medical career students from
underrepresented backgrounds in the biomedical field for the opportunity to conduct innovative and state-of-
the-art research and participate in a personalized training program designed to optimize graduate opportunities
for matriculation into PhD, MD and MD/PhD programs or for entering the biomedical research field; 3. to
implement a robust performance monitoring and evaluation plan to monitor and assess both the processes and
outcomes of t...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10408682
- **Project number:** 5R25HL118693-10
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS
- **Principal Investigator:** MARIA ISABEL DOMINGUEZ
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $184,884
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2013-08-20 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10408682

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10408682, STaRS at BU - Summer Training as Research Scholars at Boston University (5R25HL118693-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10408682. Licensed CC0.

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