California State University, Bakersfield students studying in biomedical fields will soon be able to take advantage of a new training program thanks to a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant. Dr. Isabel Sumaya, psychology professor and Interim Associate Vice President of Grants, research and sponsored programs, has been awarded a five-year $1.3 million grant from the NIH to establish an Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE) program at CSUB.  

Through U-RISE, eight biology, chemistry, psychology and kinesiology students will receive training in the biomedical sciences through research, course work, service-learning opportunities and faculty mentoring to help sharpen their knowledge and skills in preparation for pursuing a doctoral degree in their field.

Although the number of diverse student trainees has increased over the years, Dr. Sumaya says they remain underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. To address these needs, U-RISE will help a diverse group of students become expert research scientists who will successfully transition into the biomedical workforce.

For more information, please visit www.csub.edu.