East Carolina University Predoctoral Basic Biomedical Sciences Research Training Program (ECU-BSRT)

About This Grant

Project Summary/Abstract The East Carolina University Basic Biomedical Sciences Research Training Program (ECU-BSRT) is designed to implement effective, evidence-informed approaches to biomedical graduate training and mentoring that will keep pace with the rapid evolution of the biomedical research enterprise and help ensure that a pool of highly trained scientists is available in appropriate scientific disciplines to address the nation's biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research needs. The ECU-BSRT program will increase the number of highly trained biomedical scientists entering the workforce by strengthening ECU’s biomedical research training environment and supporting the training of 40 predoctoral biomedical students (five cohorts of eight students in overlapping 2- year appointments) enrolled in ECU’s Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program in Biology, Biomedicine, and Chemistry (IDPBBC), Biomedical Science PhD program, or Bioenergetics and Exercise Science PhD program. To reduce common barriers to success and prepare trainees for the breadth of careers available to them four strategies will be deployed: 1) enhanced outreach materials and recruitment strategies to attract a highly- qualified pool of applicants for ECU’s biomedical doctoral programs; 2) fellowship support for the first two years of predoctoral study which includes working closely with faculty mentors who practice evidence-based research mentoring and grant proposal writing training to assist trainees in obtaining competitive awards to support the completion of their doctoral dissertations; 3) weekly professional development sessions to build trainees’ technical, operational, and professional competencies while strengthening peer connections, self- efficacy and sense of belonging in biomedical sciences; and 4) opportunities to build career readiness skills transferable to a variety of positions in the biomedical research workforce. The weekly professional development sessions will cultivate strong relationships between trainees and faculty members. Additionally, trainees will develop a large, professional network by engaging with invited speakers and peers when attending and presenting at workshops and conferences. Expected outcomes include improved comprehension of foundational topics as assessed by successful completion of PhD candidacy examination, enhanced training in biomedical research through the interdisciplinary community of biomedical faculty as assessed by collaborative research presentations, improved communication skills assessed through presentations, manuscripts, and submitted individual fellowship proposals, and development of professional networks to access valuable career resources and opportunities.