# MARC at the University of California, Los Angeles

> **NIH NIH T34** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2024 · $734,566

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The overall goal of the MARC program at UCLA is to increase the number of undergraduates from
underrepresented backgrounds who successfully enroll into graduate programs at highly selective, research-
intensive institutions and subsequently complete a PhD in biomedical fields. The program is designed to enhance
the scientific and career knowledge, skills, and experience of MARC trainees to prepare them for graduate
studies and enhance their persistence by building each trainee’s identity as a scientist. MARC trainees
participate in a structured program that emphasizes research training with outstanding faculty, development of
scientific writing and presentation skills, networking, and mentoring. Trainees will be recruited from life science
majors throughout UCLA to start the program as rising juniors conducting full-time research in their first summer
in the program. Trainees will work with research mentors that are active, well-funded, trained in evidence-based
mentoring practices, and enthusiastic about their role in nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders. During
the academic year, research will continue to be emphasized, and in weekly meetings throughout the academic
year, trainees will receive instruction, opportunities to practice, and feedback on their presentations and writing.
In the trainee’s second summer in the program, they will participate in a research experience at another
institution. Each trainee will present their research in at least two conferences per year, where they can network
with other scientists and build their scientific community. Throughout the program, the experienced MARC
directors will provide both formal and informal mentoring to the students to build lasting, supportive, and
responsive relationships with guidance that is individually tailored. Quarterly social events build community
among the trainees and other scientists from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the sciences. Rigorous
training in the responsible conduct of research and methods to enhance reproducibility, as well as informal
discussions throughout the trainees’ participation in MARC, encourages reflection on the intersection of science
and society and the roles that each individual plays in enhancing the human condition. The program emphasizes
development of trainees as leaders in their scientific fields by encouraging participation in all aspects of the
scientific endeavor.
We propose to select 15 new junior level students per year to participate in this 2-year program, resulting in a
total of 30 students in the program per year. The overall aim of the program is to have at least 80% of the trainees
enter PhD or combined PhD programs within three years of their graduation and completion of the program. The
cumulative effect of the proposed MARC program will increase the pool of strong candidates from
underrepresented backgrounds for PhD or MD/PhD programs, and contribute to the biomedical workforce.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10847270
- **Project number:** 1T34GM153514-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** MEGAN M MCEVOY
- **Activity code:** T34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $734,566
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-06-01 → 2029-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10847270

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10847270, MARC at the University of California, Los Angeles (1T34GM153514-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10847270. Licensed CC0.

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