Bridge to the PhD in Neuroscience

ABSTRACT
Renewal of a five year program at Michigan State University (MSU) to Enhance Neuroscience Diversity through
Undergraduate Research Experience (ENDURE) is proposed. It is based on long-term, effective relationships
between MSU, and campuses in Puerto Rico (5), Northern New Mexico College, St. Mary’s University (San
Antonio, TX), and North Carolina Central, Raleigh). Each of these is a minority serving institution (MSI), and none
have significant research opportunities on campus. The Puerto Rican campuses serve populations distant from
the San Juan Metro area, and include University of Puerto Rico campuses in Cayey, Arecibo and Humacao as well
as private institutions (Universidad Ana G. Mendez and Pontifical Catholic University).During the last four years,
13 ENDURE students entered or were accepted (2020) into Ph.D. programs; an additional 6 are still in the
interview process. We achieve this result using a 3 step two yr program. 1) Students are introduced to
neuroscience, in a day-long workshop entitled, “What is Neuroscience?”and held annually on the partnering
campuses. Concepts of neurobiology are introduced, and integrated with simple hands-on experiments illustrating
testable hypotheses, and sheep brain dissection. 2) Ten students spend 10 weeks in an intensive summer
research program, working in labs of extramurally funded neuroscientists on hypothesis-directed projects. This is
preceded by a 2-day “bootcamp” introducing fundamentals of lab research, research integrity and instrument
methodology. 3) For seven students with special promise for graduate school, a 16 wk Fall Semester experience
at MSU is offered between their 3rd and 5th yrs. It includes coursework in neuroscience, further research on a
project with testable hypothesis, and professional development. Three courses are given. One introduces
fundamentals of neuroscience, one focuses on pharmacology of drug addiction, and the 3rd is a seminar-type
course stressing translational and inter-disciplinary approaches to understanding the etiology of human neurologic
and psychiatric disease. This course entails significant practice in writing, and an integral journal club.
Improvement of communication skills occurs both in summer and fall; they include both informal and more
formalized settings. included (research presentations, participation in class, journal club participation and paper
writing). Students from both the summer, and Fall Semester components will attend the annual meeting of the
Society for Neuroscience participating actively in the ENDURE Meeting affiliated with the Annual Meeting. Student
progress in both course work and research will be closely monitored and externally evaluated. An external advisory
committee comprising faculty from the collaborating institutions and URM faculty will provide input and guidance
regarding program direction and outcome and assist in candidate selection. An outstanding record of placement
of students into highly selective graduate programs occurred during the last award period. We plan to build on that
momentum in the next award.