# SFSU/UCSF M.S. Bridges to the Doctorate Program: cloud-based learning modules supplement

> **NIH NIH T32** · SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $15,695

## Abstract

The goal of the Bridges to the Doctorate Research Training Program at San Francisco State University
(SFSU) (“Bridge Program”) is to develop a diverse pool of scientists earning a Ph.D., who have the skills
to successfully transition into careers in the biomedical research workforce. SFSU and the University of
California, San Francisco (UCSF) have developed a cooperative graduate program to increase the number
of under-represented (UR) students that pursue biomedical research careers. This Program will provide
UR students (primarily Biology and Biochemistry) with a quality and focused master's degree education at
SFSU that prepares them to be competitive for acceptance into top-ranked biomedical science doctoral
programs such as UCSF. The objectives are to: 1) engage all Bridge trainees in research activities, 2)
provide the scientific literacy to ensure the successful completion of M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in a timely
manner, and 3) ensure the transition of Bridge trainees to Ph.D. programs. These objectives will be
successfully met through the combination of (i) close and careful academic and research advising by peers,
preceptors, course instructors and PDs, (ii) a nurturing and productive research experience with Bridge
preceptors, (iii) registration in two courses (“Strategies for Success” and “Science Coding Immersion
Program (SCIP)”) that provide professional development to improve quantitative, writing, and oral
communication skills while building community, and (iv) role modeling from established UR scientists in
our formal Speaker Series. The M.S. program is divided into 4 semesters, with a unique “Strategies for
Success” each semester, and the “SCIP” course in the summer between 1st and 2nd year. The “Strategies”
course develops writing and oral communication skills through development of the IDP, statement of
purpose, abstract writing, presentations and mock interviews. Ph.D. preparation includes informational
sessions on Ph.D. programs, and PhD/career panels led by SFSU alumni. These courses also cover RCR
and rigor and reproducibility, over 2 semesters. SCIP develops community through coding lessons, with
biologically-relevant data sets. Over the last 15 years, 175 previously funded M.S. students have
completed Ph.D. programs, with another 75 pending (anticipated completion dates between 2021-2025).
Over the last 5 years alone, an average of 22.4 students have entered Ph.D. programs yearly, with an
average of 3.6 entering UCSF Ph.D. programs (2, 2, 4, 3 and 7 entering from 2016-2020). This proposal
therefore requests funding for 32 MS students (16 first year and 16 second year), to maintain the strong
success of the combined NIH Bridge and RISE programs previously in existence at SFSU.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10558216
- **Project number:** 3T32GM142515-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** MEGUMI M. FUSE
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $15,695
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-08-04 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10558216

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10558216, SFSU/UCSF M.S. Bridges to the Doctorate Program: cloud-based learning modules supplement (3T32GM142515-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10558216. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*