# SFSU/UCSF M.S. Bridges to the Doctorate Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $47,084

## 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:** 10692376
- **Project number:** 3T32GM142515-02S1
- **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:** $47,084
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-08-04 → 2026-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10692376

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10692376, SFSU/UCSF M.S. Bridges to the Doctorate Program (3T32GM142515-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10692376. Licensed CC0.

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