SCENARIO I
Establishing a Research Career Using Minority Support
Programs
Jennifer is a Black undergraduate biology student participating
in a Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) program at a
historically Black college. She wants to pursue a Ph.D. degree
in the biological sciences and conduct research on cardiovascular
diseases. Jennifer has identified the following research training
and career development programs offered by the NHLBI as most
appropriate for helping her reach her career goal:
* NHLBI MARC Summer Research Training Program
* Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minority Graduate
Research Assistants
* Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minority Individuals
in Postdoctoral Training
* NHLBI Minority Institution Mentored Research Scientist Development
Award (K01).
NHLBI MARC Summer Research Training Program
In this scenario, Jennifer is already participating in the
MARC honors undergraduate research training program at her
college. She discusses her career plans with the MARC program
director who recommends that she spend the summers after her
junior and senior years working in the NHLBI laboratories,
where she will be able to refine her career goals, gain relevant
experience in an exciting research environment, and learn
about other NIH research training programs.
Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minority
Graduate Research Assistants
On entering graduate school, Jennifer seeks out a researcher
at her institution who has an NHLBI research grant. Jennifer
approaches the investigator about conducting her doctoral
research in his laboratory. The investigator submits an application
for a minority research supplement to NHLBI on her behalf
and obtains additional research support, enabling Jennifer
to work part-time in his research laboratory during her graduate
training.
Research Supplements for Underrepresented Minority
Individuals in Postdoctoral Training
After Jennifer receives her doctorate, she continues her
research training by identifying an investigator at a nearby
institution who has an NHLBI grant supporting research in
the area in which she desires further training. She asks the
investigator to submit, on her behalf, an application for
a Research Supplement for Underrepresented Minority Individuals
in Postdoctoral Training. Jennifer receives 3 years of postdoctoral
support.
NHLBI Minority Institution Mentored Research Scientist
Development Award (K01)
After completing her postdoctoral training, Jennifer accepts
a faculty position at a minority school. She wants to continue
her research. So, as a new faculty member at a minority school,
she decides to continue her research training by applying
for and receiving an NHLBI Minority Institution Mentored Research
Scientist Development Award (K01), which will enable her to
establish her own independent research directions. At the
end of this award, Jennifer plans to apply for an Investigator-Initiated
Research Grant (R01).
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