# HopkinsPREP: Research, Community, Professional Training and Personal Growth

> **NIH NIH R25** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $346,318

## Abstract

The Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
now in its fourth year, proposes to select six recent college graduates each year from backgrounds traditionally
underrepresented in science who desire PhD research careers and will benefit substantially from a year of
intensive research experience and custom mentoring. We prepare these promising students for entry into
rigorous PhD training programs and long-term success. Scholars visit Hopkins in April for a two-day Mentor-
Matching event to interview potential mentors in their field of interest, and are matched with an enthusiastic
Research Mentor. RESEARCH: Scholars learn, design, conduct and analyze hypothesis-driven experiments in
the mentor's lab, and participate in weekly lab meetings, journal clubs and departmental research seminars,
and a national conference. `Project Meetings' (mini-thesis meetings) are a key new feature: each Scholar
invites two subject-expert faculty in addition to their Research Mentor and PREP Director to three meetings
during their first year. Scholars prepare a written proposal for a one-hour discussion with their committee, and
benefit from their own support network of scientific mentors. Project Meetings have increased faculty
awareness of this program; 62 faculty are ready to serve as research mentors or advisors for PREP Scholars.
PREP COMMUNITY: Scholars gather for a two-hour `Chalktalks' event each month with dedicated Peer
Mentors (ten underrepresented minority PhD students and postdoctoral fellows) to practice talking science, ask
questions and get advice within our PREP community. Scholars also mix with PhD students at events including
a vibrant annual PhD program retreat. PROFESSIONAL TRAINING: Scholars participate in Research Ethics
workshops taught by the School of Medicine, an NSF (National Science Foundation) graduate fellowship
workshop, and Writing & Peer-Editing Workshops taught by the PREP Director. PERSONAL GROWTH: The
Director and Scholar create an individual development plan (IDP) to set goals and strengthen specific areas
needed to be competitive for PhD success. IDPs can include graduate-level coursework, practice interviews,
workshops (e.g., critical analysis, personal finances, time management, communication) and GRE/MCAT test
preparation funded by our institution. Scholars meet individually with the Director for one hour every month,
and informally as needed. This program will be evaluated yearly by direct feedback and by the Hopkins Office
of Assessment & Evaluation, including pre- and post-assessment of confidence in 21 areas of scientific
competence (self-efficacy). Success will be defined as the entry of at least 75% of PREP scholars into rigorous
PhD or MD/PhD programs nationwide, within two years of starting PREP. Our actual 2-year success rate so
far is 92%, and two Scholars were awarded National Science Foundation graduate fellowships in 2018. By
preparing outstanding URM train...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9854471
- **Project number:** 2R25GM109441-06
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Katherine L Wilson
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $346,318
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2015-05-01 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9854471

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9854471, HopkinsPREP: Research, Community, Professional Training and Personal Growth (2R25GM109441-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9854471. Licensed CC0.

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