# UIC Portal to Biomedical Research Careers PREP (UIC PBRC-PREP)

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO · 2024 · $415,994

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
In alignment with the national interest in increasing diversity in the biomedical science workforce, and the mission
of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) to provide opportunity to the broadest possible student population,
we are submitting this first renewal proposal to fund the UIC Portal to Biomedical Research Careers PREP
(PBRC-PREP). In the proposed funding period, PBRC-PREP will support the aspirations of 30 (6 per cohort)
recent baccalaureates who are from populations underrepresented in the biomedical sciences and who are
highly motivated to obtain a PhD or dual degree (MD/PhD, PharmD/PhD) and enter a research career, but who
lack adequate research experience and scientific maturity to gain entry into top PhD programs. The PBRC-PREP
will continue to provide an intensive research experience and activities aimed at scholars improving their critical
thinking and written and oral communication skills, and to develop in the scholars a sense of belonging within
the scientific community. Three tangible outcomes envisioned for PBRC-PREP Scholars are that they (1)
become proficient in research, critical thinking, writing and communication skills, (2) develop competitive
applications for top PhD or dual degree programs, and (3) that they build a foundation that supports their success
in such programs and on into a biomedical research career. In the previous funded period 79% of PBRC-PREP
Scholars entered PhD, MD/PhD or PharmD/PhD programs. In the proposed project, we will build on this success
and strengthen our program based on scholar and mentor feedback and external evaluation. PBRC-PREP
Scholars will be recruited nationally and through an enhanced effort to recruit from the highly diverse
undergraduate populations at UIC and Illinois State University. The PBRC-PREP begins with a Summer Boot
Camp that integrates the research mentor selection process with skills development in critical thinking and oral
and written communication, the creation of Individual Development Plans, training in rigor & reproducibility and
research ethics, community building and cultural awareness experiences. Scholars will spend 75% of the PREP
year in their chosen research lab. In the Fall semester, scholars will prepare for attendance to and presentation
at the ABRCMS meeting and will also prepare applications for their selected graduate programs. In the Spring
semester, scholars will attend the Developing Critical Thinking Skills course, a course developed specifically for
PBRC-PREP Scholars that allows them to practice their critical scientific thinking and presentation skills while
exposing them to a variety of biomedical research areas and approaches to investigating important scientific
questions. PBRC-PREP Scholars will also participate in career development activities and learn about the variety
of career paths open to biomedical researchers. We anticipate that this rigorous program will continue to enable
UIC PBRC-PREP Scholars to compe...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10771568
- **Project number:** 2R25GM121212-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Aixa Alfonso
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $415,994
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2018-01-01 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10771568

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10771568, UIC Portal to Biomedical Research Careers PREP (UIC PBRC-PREP) (2R25GM121212-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10771568. Licensed CC0.

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