# VT-ESTEEMED

> **NIH NIH R25** · VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV · 2024 · $277,068

## Abstract

Abstract
Among the many social justice issues that our nation continues to confront, health disparities, especially
underrepresentation in the biomedical workforce remains one of the most tractable. The lack of representation
in the proportion of minorities, especially black men, who go on to obtain a STEM degree remains alarming.
Among the factors responsible for this lack of diversity are the switching out of STEM majors by the end of the
sophomore years and the challenging environments many URMs face at research intensive (R1) institutions.
Virginia Tech’s ESTEEMED (VT ESTEEMED) program will provide the foundation and tools necessary from
disciplines that include biological sciences, chemistry, biochemistry, math and statistics for our scholars to
succeed in obtaining their undergraduate degrees and pursuing graduate degrees in biomedical engineering. To
accomplish this broad goal of increasing diversity in the biomedical workforce, this revised VT ESTEEMED,
which addressed all the “minor weaknesses” in the “01,” will use program faculty and PIs with outstanding history
of research productivity, training and mentoring of students from diverse backgrounds. Specific Aims of the VT
ESTEEMED research education program are: 1. Recruit 8 entering Freshmen, each year, for a total of 32 to
become VT ESTEEMED scholars who will have the foundation necessary to succeed in getting a BS and
pursuing a graduate degree in biomedical engineering; 2. Create a bridge program that will provide a smooth
transition to college for VT ESTEEMED scholars and to help them develop a familiarity with the fundamentals of
biomedical science and the process of “entering research;”3. Provide a mentored research experience that will
enhance student learning and engagement that will also translate into academic retention and success; 4. Create
learning opportunities for ESTEEMED scholar-led developmental activities including literature review sessions,
research progress/status updates, and the cohosting of speakers; and 5. Engage ESTEEMED scholars in
summer activities that includes research training and the acquiring of skills that include communication including
writing and oral, and mentoring and leadership. With outstanding leadership skills locally and nationally, the
ESTEEMED program directors and the potential faculty mentors bring a history of exemplary scholarly
achievements in STEM and URM training and development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10829907
- **Project number:** 5R25EB033070-02
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INST AND ST UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Sara Arena
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $277,068
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-05-01 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10829907

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10829907, VT-ESTEEMED (5R25EB033070-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10829907. Licensed CC0.

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