# U-RISE AT UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO AT PONCE

> **NIH NIH T34** · UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO PONCE · 2024 · $382,819

## Abstract

This T34 U-RISE application represents a transition from two previous 5-year cycles as an R25 mechanism at
the University of Puerto Rico Ponce (UPRP). Our students are underrepresented Hispanics including individuals
from disadvantage economic backgrounds, with disabilities, and first generations attending to college with
interest in Biomedical Sciences. Hurricanes, earthquakes, and a global pandemic affected our students from
altering their routines, environment, change to use teaching-learning virtual tools, and to be emotionally
distressed. Knowing our student population and their recent stressors, we will implement evidence-based
strategies that were successful previously, now considering these obstacles. The proposal objectives are: (1)
Increase the graduation rate and decrease the time to graduation of U-RISE trainees at the UPRP. By using an
innovative holistic program including wellness, safety, and ethical environment, understanding of cultural diversity,
and development of technical, operational, and professional skills we will allow a successful transition to join
research-oriented and non-traditional careers in biomedical sciences contributing to a diverse and inclusive
future biomedical workforce. a) We expect to increase the graduation rate of U-RISE UPR trainees to 90%
compared to the current Department of Biology (47%) and the Institutional (45%); b) decrease graduation time
from 6 to 5 years. (2) Engage U-RISE trainees at UPRP in research-oriented activities through mentored
experiences encouraging academic excellence, training technical and professional skills, and fostering
teamwork, following, and promoting the responsible conduct of research, and reassuring a safe and ethical
environment. We expect that 85% of U-RISE UPRP trainees will complete the proposed activities as evidenced
by the appropriate assessment tools. (3) Increase the number of UPRP students, as participants of the U-RISE
Program, trained in a holistic system representing the next generation of qualified U-RISE trainees with increased
skills and competitiveness to apply, enroll and successfully complete a Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program
(Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D.) at Research Intensive Institutions. We expect that 70% of U-RISE UPRP trainees will be
accepted into a Ph.D. Program within three years after graduation. We include new recruitment approaches,
promote more interaction between former, current U-RISE and freshmen students interested in applying to U-
RISE. We also develop a Certification Principles and Applications of Biomedical Research Tools: From Scientific
Curiosity to Hands-on Approaches (PABRT). PABRT includes technical, operational, professional, and research-
related activities for the Biology Students at UPRP as an alternative to obtain research experience and potentially
awaken the students’ interest in research an decide to join U-RISE or entering the Biomedical Sciences
workforce. We also developed mentoring system including scientists at di...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10818365
- **Project number:** 5T34GM145504-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO PONCE
- **Principal Investigator:** Abigail Ruiz-Rivera
- **Activity code:** T34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $382,819
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-04-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10818365

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10818365, U-RISE AT UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO AT PONCE (5T34GM145504-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10818365. Licensed CC0.

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