# Cal State LA MARC U STAR

> **NIH NIH T34** · CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LOS ANGELES · 2020 · $575,175

## Abstract

We propose, through MARC U-STAR, to enhance the ability of California State University, Los Angeles to
be a major national contributor to the training of diverse biomedical research leadership for the next generation
and beyond.
 We have reverse-engineered a training program from the characteristics of the most successful
biomedical science PhD students at major research universities. This program builds on and extends our prior
accomplishments and will result in the training of talented honors-caliber undergraduates with the qualities,
achievements, habits of mind and commitment necessary for success in top PhD programs, prestigious
postdoctoral appointments, high profile research careers, and professional leadership.
 The MARC Research Training Program is composed of: 1) participation in two years of mentored
laboratory research; 2) participation in an Annual Biomedical Research Retreat; 3) a solid undergraduate
curriculum enhanced by new courses and the Undergraduate Academic Minor in Research; 4) participation in
workshops to enhance the curriculum; 5) an extensive program of improving the Trainee’s scientific writing; 6)
solid academic and career advisement; 7) participation in establishing support networks to enhance success;
8) leadership development; and 9) participation in scientific seminars.
 By design, our MARC U-STAR Program puts emphasis on training our MARC Trainees to formulate,
develop and improve their own significant questions about their research projects, and the conversion of these
into testable hypotheses. We will deliberately and appropriately shift research training into a more question-
driven mode. Questioning is at the core of science. MARC Trainees will be explicitly taught how to generate
good questions, and to improve these to create significant questions. By developing skill in formulating
significant questions, students gain confidence and strengthen their own scientific voice.
 Critical skills and attributes grow and develop over time through iterative and progressive introduction of
important concepts. These are introduced multiple times and in different venues and formats over the two
years that students participate in MARC, with progressively greater sophistication, and with sufficient time
between introductions so that students can practice and grow on their own during the intervals.
 Building disciplinary and research competence first, and then excellence, requires exceptional effort,
even from highly talented and motivated MARC students. A deeper understanding of research as an
intellectual, practical, philosophical, and creative process is required to achieve excellence. Competence and
excellence are necessary for individuals to authentically achieve confidence and identify as a scientist.
 We test the hypothesis that students that are skilled in integrating into their research group, department,
and other social networks can draw upon these support structures during difficult times. We will provide
opport...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9935062
- **Project number:** 5T34GM008228-34
- **Recipient organization:** CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** LINDA M. TUNSTAD
- **Activity code:** T34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $575,175
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1998-06-01 → 2023-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9935062

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9935062, Cal State LA MARC U STAR (5T34GM008228-34). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9935062. Licensed CC0.

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