# MARC U*STAR Training Program at the University of Rhode Island

> **NIH NIH T34** · UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND · 2020 · $288,636

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Our institutional self-assessment has revealed that underrepresented student baccalaureate degree
graduation rates in STEM fields at the University of Rhode Island (URI) are atypically low. Moreover, the
percentage of underrepresented URI students who matriculate into, and successfully complete, Ph.D.
programs in the biomedical sciences is well below the national average. Our analysis of GPA upon
graduation, however, indicates that on average, underrepresented and non-underrepresented students
leave URI similarly academically qualified, leading us to conclude that, at URI, we lack a system to
nurture and inspire our most talented underrepresented students towards Ph.D. programs in the
biomedical sciences.
Here, we describe the creation of the URI MARC U*STAR program. We have a strong pool of well-
qualified underrepresented students and propose to mentor and train a cohort of 8 MARC scholars per
year. Our vision for the program is to create a robust and inclusive undergraduate biomedical research
environment at URI, epitomized by equal opportunity and equal outcome. The program mission is to
develop a cadre of underrepresented students who emerge into critically-minded, discerning scientists,
who are strong in fundamental research knowledge and practice, and are leaders and exemplars to their
peers.
We propose two broad goals for the program; 1) Develop students who are knowledgeable and well
trained in biological and biomedical research and can readily employ research methods and critical
thinking to solve important and timely scientific problems, and 2) Create a community of student scholars
who will enjoy a strong sense of belonging within the biological and biomedical research community, and
promote a sustainable culture of undergraduate research excellence at URI.
By achieving these program goals, we expect that at least 90% percent of our MARC scholars will
graduate with a baccalaureate degree in a STEM field in a 4-year period, and that at least 80% of our
scholars will matriculate into Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree programs in biomedical research fields, thereby
contributing to the diversification of the nation's scientific workforce.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9938644
- **Project number:** 5T34GM131948-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND
- **Principal Investigator:** Bryan Dewsbury
- **Activity code:** T34 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $288,636
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-06-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9938644

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9938644, MARC U*STAR Training Program at the University of Rhode Island (5T34GM131948-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9938644. Licensed CC0.

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