# The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Program

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIV OF ARKANSAS FOR MED SCIS · 2022 · $112,089

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The number of underrepresented (UR) students enrolled in biomedical sciences PhD programs in Arkansas
and nationally is consistently low. The number of UR students who actually graduate from biomedical sciences
PhD programs is even lower, resulting in a small pool of UR faculty in the biomedical research workforce. The
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' (UAMS) Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD)
Program was funded in 2009 and aims to increase the number of UR students who enroll and graduate in
biomedical sciences PhD programs, and assist these students in transitioning into the biomedical research
workforce. The average UR student enrollment rate in UAMS biomedical science PhD programs is currently
15.2%, more than double the percent of UR students enrolled in biomedical science PhD programs before the
IMSD program began in 2009. However, this number is still lower than the national average and more
interventions are needed to increase UR student enrollment, retention, and graduation rates in biomedical
sciences programs. The current IMSD program consists of student development and retention activities aimed
at enhancing UR student success during their program of study and increasing their graduation rates. To
further our efforts to assist UR biomedical science students, we plan to continue the current IMSD programs
and propose adding new training activities to ensure UR student academic success. Under this administrative
supplement, we plan to host a series of seminars focusing on implicit bias, stereotype threat and imposters
syndrome; resilience workshops targeting graduate students; resilience training modules with small group
sessions targeting graduate students; develop a formal mentoring and coaching program utilizing members of
our Women's Faculty Development Caucus and Academic Senate that targets graduate students; and provide
opportunities for peer-to-peer mentoring by pairing IMSD graduate students and UR undergraduate students.
The specific aims of this proposed research training plan are to: 1) enhance activities in existing IMSD
programs by focusing on wellness and safety; and 2) develop and implement new IMSD programs focusing on
resilience, emotional intelligence, cognitive dissonance, and self-advocacy; and 3) develop and implement an
undergraduate Near-Peer Mentoring program.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10605906
- **Project number:** 3R25GM083247-12S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF ARKANSAS FOR MED SCIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Robert E McGehee
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $112,089
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2009-02-07 → 2024-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10605906

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10605906, The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Program (3R25GM083247-12S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10605906. Licensed CC0.

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