# MARC at University of California, Davis

> **NIH NIH T34** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2024 · $142,574

## Abstract

Abstract
The mission of the UC Davis MARC program is to increase the diversity of students who complete their
baccalaureate degree, and subsequently pursue a PhD or MD/PhD in a biomedical research-focused STEM
field. To achieve this, we have developed an academic and research-focused training program for students
in underrepresented groups in biomedical sciences. To fulfill this mission, we propose to recruit 10 students,
annually, to participate in a two to three year MARC training program, which will include at least two summers
of full-time research and two academic years of part-time research. Our MARC program will promote student
retention and academic excellence through activities that facilitate social and academic integration and scientific
identity formation within a supportive peer group environment. It will engage students in research as well as in
discussions of biomedical research topics, integrity in research, and experimental design. It will also provide
them with experience in scientific presentations both oral and written, experience in proposal writing, guidance
in the graduate school application process, and career information. To achieve these goals, our MARC program
will have four main components: advising, research experience, professional development, and community
activities that enhance science identity formation and provide important sources of social support. This program
has the following measurable objectives. MARC students will: (1) learn the importance of conducting
biomedical research responsibly, ethically, and with integrity; (2) increase their scientific research expertise with
respect to understanding scientific reasoning, rigorous experimental design, data analysis, and interpretation;
(3) develop skills to communicate scientific research to a variety of audiences, including those at national
conferences; (4) develop a science identity, science community values, self-efficacy, and sense of belonging;
(5) develop a network of supportive mentors who are at a variety of career stages, including faculty research
mentors and graduate students; (6) engage in outreach and/or mentorship activities; (7) be extensively prepared
to create competitive graduate school applications; (8) maintain/enhance their commitment to careers in
biomedical research; (9) graduate at a rate of 90% with a GPA that is competitive for entrance into a PhD
program; and (10) enter PhD or MD/PhD programs in biomedical related disciplines within 3 years of graduation
at a rate of at least 60%.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10860987
- **Project number:** 5T34GM136469-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** ALDRIN V. GOMES
- **Activity code:** T34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $142,574
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-06-01 → 2025-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10860987

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10860987, MARC at University of California, Davis (5T34GM136469-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10860987. Licensed CC0.

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