# VCU Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Program (IMSD)

> **NIH NIH R25** · VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $484,213

## Abstract

The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) IMSD Program has been in effect since 2010 to provide training
and increase UR scholars in the biomedical enterprise. The specific goals of the last proposal were (1) To
provide mentored research experiences for 16 IMSD Undergraduate Scholars/ year and 4 IMSD PhD students/
year, (2) To use both well-tested and novel strategies to increase academic success of IMSD trainees, (3) To
design and deliver enrichment activities that develop trainees' critical thinking/ problem solving skills, improve
communications skills, increase awareness of careers that complement their interests and personalities, (4) To
ensure that at least 60% of IMSD Undergraduate Scholars enroll in competitive PhD programs in the
biomedical sciences, (5) To ensure that ≥90% of IMSD Scholars who enroll complete PhD programs in the
biomedical sciences, (6) To use aggressive recruiting strategies to increase URM applications to the
Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Portal by 100%, and (7) To increase productivity of URM PhD students to be
comparable to that of their peers. Each of these measureable outcomes has been achieved with significant
success with 55 undergraduates and 15 PhD scholars supported through the VCU IMSD program. In the past
funding cycle, 60% of the UGs have entered PhD programs at various institutions nationally, all PhD scholars
have graduated with significant peer-reviewed publications, have remained in the biomedical workforce with
75% entering academic institutions as postdoctoral fellows. We will build upon this promising progress with the
following specific aims, 1) Expose 16 UR undergraduates to high quality biomedical research, 2) Elevate 6
highly qualified UR graduate students to a successful PhD, and 3) engage the wider VCU community in
biomedical research and professional training. The measureable outcomes of each of these aims are
consistent with the goals of the IMSD Program “to develop the pool of a diverse group of highly trained
undergraduate and graduate students who go on to research careers and will be available to participate in
NIH-funded research.”

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9857608
- **Project number:** 5R25GM090084-11
- **Recipient organization:** VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** HAMID I AKBARALI
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $484,213
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2010-03-15 → 2023-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9857608

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9857608, VCU Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Program (IMSD) (5R25GM090084-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9857608. Licensed CC0.

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