# MUSC Short Term Research Education Program to Increase Diversity

> **NIH NIH R25** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2020 · $116,792

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 The primary objective of this program is to provide short-term (10 weeks) training experience for
fifteen talented students in the area of cardiovascular function and disease. This research education
opportunity will be provided to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, racial and ethnic minorities,
and others who are underrepresented in biomedical research. The long-range goal is to increase the
number of such students in health professions in cardiovascular biology through interest generated by
exposure to a broad spectrum of research activities in this area. The 37 Program Faculty participating
in the program have been selected on the basis of their active research programs in the areas of
cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular development, cardiac stem cells and regenerative medicine, cell
signaling, and proteomics that are supported by more than $11.4 million of extramural funds from the
NIH/NHLBI. Several of the faculty also conduct clinical and implementation oriented research on
diseases that disproportionately affect African Americans, notably hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
Students in the program are intimately involved in the ongoing projects in one of the participating
laboratories, and are exposed to many aspects of conducting basic science and epidemiologic
research. Students also participate in a lecture series that covers cutting edge topics in biological
research, with a focus on topics related to cardiovascular function and disease and clinical/translational
research. In addition, the lecture series covers laboratory safety and responsible conduct of research.
At the conclusion of the training period, the students prepare a brief written paper and give an oral
presentation on their project. They are also encouraged to return in November to present their
research at the university-wide annual research day or to attend a national conference such as the
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students. The program will be evaluated at the
end of each year using a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches including analysis of
applicant pool data and recruitment methods, as well as exit interviews and surveys with the students,
and feedback from the mentors. Additionally, students' career choices and progress will be tracked by
yearly contact with each of the participants.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9858393
- **Project number:** 5R25HL092611-13
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** CYNTHIA F. WRIGHT
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $116,792
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2008-05-10 → 2023-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9858393

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9858393, MUSC Short Term Research Education Program to Increase Diversity (5R25HL092611-13). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9858393. Licensed CC0.

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