# STaRS at BU - Summer Training as Research Scholars at Boston University

> **NIH NIH R25** · BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS · 2024 · $166,320

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The Summer Training as Research Scholars (STaRS) at Boston University (BU) is an established program
designed for outstanding undergraduate and early medical school students from traditionally underrepresented
groups (URG) in the biomedical sciences, with a goal of supporting NIH’s mission to diversify the biomedical
research workforce. STaRS prepares undergraduate scholars to pursue graduate education and careers in
research, as well as increases the readiness of early career medical students to become physician scientists.
Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Graduate Medical Sciences are supportive
and proud of the accomplishments of the STaRS Program and its scholars. Our successful outcomes in the past
iteration of the grant include: (1) >80% of undergraduate scholars continuing into higher education, (2) >50% of
medical scholars with continued involvement in research following completion of the STaRS Program, and (3)
high mentor satisfaction with the Program.
This renewal application builds on our previous successes to improve the program’s comprehensiveness and
rigor, and expands its focus to building greater community and a sense of belonging among STaRS scholars. A
few past scholars noted that negative experiences after STaRS discouraged their intentions to pursue biomedical
research careers, so this renewal application focuses on innovative methods to strengthen their confidence,
communities, and sense of belonging to increase their retention in the STEM pipeline. STaRS scholars will
participate in authentic research projects mentored by faculty that work on cutting-edge research, with a
particular focus on disease-oriented projects in heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders and diseases. These
research experiences foster critical thinking skills, help scholars to see themselves as future scientists, provide
a sense of belonging to the greater scientific community, and prepare them for entering a career in research.
STaRS scholars will also participate in career development activities designed to prepare them for pursuing
advanced degrees and careers in biomedical research, including networking with role models in different career
paths within biomedical research. These activities build self-confidence and aim to increase scholars’ ability to
self-assess and plan steps necessary to successfully apply to graduate degree programs and/or advance in their
research careers. Additionally, STaRS will facilitate in expanding scholars’ professional and social network
before, during, and after the Program, to reinforce community building and a sense of belonging, and thus
mitigate attrition from the biomedical workforce. The Program will use these networks to monitor and assess
outcomes of the program and demonstrate its effectiveness, quality, and long-term impact on the career
outcomes of our trainees, as well as its contributions to the diversity of the biomedical workforce.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10904304
- **Project number:** 2R25HL118693-11
- **Recipient organization:** BOSTON UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CAMPUS
- **Principal Investigator:** MARIA ISABEL DOMINGUEZ
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $166,320
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2013-08-20 → 2029-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10904304

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10904304, STaRS at BU - Summer Training as Research Scholars at Boston University (2R25HL118693-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10904304. Licensed CC0.

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