# University of Georgia (UGA) ESTEEMED: Mentored Experiential Research to Promote Diversity in Biomedical Engineering and Science

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA · 2023 · $292,028

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Lead by a diverse multiple PI team (2URM, 1 UR), the UGA ESTEEMED program will lead ESTEEMED
scholars along a path of increasing challenges – a path that includes the application of biomedical research --
toward the goal of interest and success in doctoral work. The scholars will enter the ESTEEMED program
through a summer bridge curriculum and a co-located biomedical living-learning community, which will ensure
they are engaged and networked. In their first year, they will join an engineering senior design team mentored
by clinicians and engineers, and focused on biomedical design for underserved communities, to experience
how knowledge is transformed from observations about nature to products that can change lives. They will
work with peer mentors to apply science to solve real-world problems in ways consonant with industrial
practices, learning how to listen, question, and answer business -- and ultimately research -- questions through
personal communication. The scholars will be coached during a summer outreach project to appreciate how
their skills and solutions can impact a community. These experiences will inspire the scholars to develop a
research inquiry mindset as they start developing big ideas and solutions. The scholars will learn the
vocabulary and infrastructure of research and have a sense of belonging to the research community. They will
learn about biomedical sciences through the lens of animal medicine/regulatory and participate in One Health
design challenges, teaming with ESTEEMED scholars at other institutions who are learning about biomedical
sciences through the lens of human medicine (Georgia Tech) and through the physiological environment
(Savannah State University). They will engage in mentored research projects that will cement their belief that
they can make valuable contributions. Upon “graduation” from the ESTEEMED program, the scholars will enter
the LSAMP or McNair honors programs. The ESTEEMED aims are:
 1. To engage at least 90% of the UGA ESTEEMED scholars in research each year starting with year two.
 2. For 90% of the UGA ESTEEMED scholars to transition into an Advanced Honors Program.
 3. For 75% of the UGA ESTEEMED scholars to present their research at a STEM national conference
 and for 50% to graduate with research publications in biomedical science/engineering.
 4. To prepare 100% of the scholars for graduate school, at least 75% enrolling in Ph.D. programs in
 biomedical science/engineering (or M.D./Ph.D. programs) within five years of post-baccalaureate.
 5. For 75% of the UGA ESTEEMED scholars who enroll in graduate studies to enter postdoctoral
 employment or a biomedical research career within year of completing graduate training.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10436866
- **Project number:** 5R25EB031570-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
- **Principal Investigator:** KAREN JL BURG
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $292,028
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10436866

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10436866, University of Georgia (UGA) ESTEEMED: Mentored Experiential Research to Promote Diversity in Biomedical Engineering and Science (5R25EB031570-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10436866. Licensed CC0.

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