# U-RISE at the University of West Florida

> **NIH NIH T34** · UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA · 2024 · $181,029

## Abstract

SUMMARY:
The proposed UWF U-RISE Scholars Program, modeled after the successful model Meyerhoff Scholars Program,
combines a successful model MARC Scholars Program with best practices from the UWF Chemistry Scholars
Program proven to increase persistence, graduation, and matriculation to PhD and MD-PhD degrees for
underrepresented students at the University of West Florida (UWF). The U-RISE Scholars pool of students will
include underrepresented students, specifically racial and ethnic minorities, students from low socioeconomic
backgrounds, and students with disabilities. Twelve years after establishing Chem Scholars in 2011, the ethnically
UR Chemistry graduates have increased from an average 6% during 2009-2012 to an average 30% during 2012-
2022. The percentage of ethnically UR students pursuing biomedically relevant PhD or MD-PhD
degrees has increased from 0% during 2010-2012 to an average 60% in 2012-2022. Perhaps more
impressive is the average past 5-year percentage of ethnically UR majors matriculating to PhD or MD/PhD
programs exceeds the percentage of non-UR by 14%. NIH-funded MARC Scholars expanded the model into
Biology, Mechanical Engineering and Physics in 2014. To date, 34 underrepresented MARC Scholars have been
accepted, 93% of MARC Scholars (28 of the 30 MARC Scholars) graduated with a BS degree (Biology, Chemistry,
Mechanical Engineering and/or Physics), and 80% (24 of the 30) of MARC Scholar graduates have matriculated
to PhD or MD-PhD programs, 1 MARC graduate is enrolled in a NIH-funded PREP, 1 is enrolled in a MS program,
and 2 graduates went directly into the biomedical workforce.
The proposed U-RISE Scholars Program will continue to encompass the four major components of the model
programs with several additions. U-RISE Scholars will provide the following: 1) academic and social integration
via the a 2-year research experience (on and off campus) and STEM Living Learning Community; 2) rigorous
academic preparation via professional development workshops and a seminar series tailored specifically for
STEM and biomedical topics, a STEM Writing course, an RCR and Enhancing Reproducibility course and
research experience both at UWF and R-1 institutions; 3) a support system implemented through U-RISE
Scholars, “intrusive advising,” and regulated mentoring and advising for both academic coursework, research,
and U-RISE Scholars; 4) preparation for U-RISE Scholars, matriculation to graduate school, and ultimately to a
research career through individual development plans, application materials preparation, and resume building
workshops; 5) support and training to develop Wellness and Resilience to help Scholars understand the critical
and symbiotic nature of emotional and physical health to be live a successful and fulfilled life (personally and
professionally). These resources are currently available only through NIH-funding of MARC Scholars (renamed
U-RISE Scholars with this proposal) specifically for high-achieving underreprese...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10847985
- **Project number:** 1T34GM153538-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Peter J. Cavnar
- **Activity code:** T34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $181,029
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-04-01 → 2025-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10847985

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10847985, U-RISE at the University of West Florida (1T34GM153538-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10847985. Licensed CC0.

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