AWARDS AND BENEFITS

The Bridges Program is an academically-challenging experience. Selected participants will receive the following benefits:

Salary as a full-time UCI employee during the summer (10 weeks), receiving a salary of approximately $400/week. Participants transferring to UCI in Fall may extend their full-time appointment until September, 2016

Training in modern laboratory methods and operation of high-tech laboratory equipment

Orientation on financial aid and the transfer process

Introduction to the research facilities in the School of Biological Sciences and School of Medicine

Mentoring and guidance by UCI faculty, graduate students and senior undergraduates pursuing biomedical research careers

Weekly seminar series where invited biomedical professionals share their experiences at universities, industry and government agencies

Full access to a computer laboratory dedicated to train students on software used in research

Career guidance by the UCI Minority Science Program staff and counselors in the School of Biological Sciences

Safety Training workshop

Financial support to attend nationwide conferences and present research findings.

PROGRAM DATESJune 11 to August 17, 2018

APPLICATION PROCESSCompleted applications MUST include:

1. A completed application form: please see http://port.bio.uci.edu/bridges

2. One letter of recommendation from a community college science faculty member

3. An official copy of your college transcripts4. A two-page personal statement describing

career goals and interests in biomedical research careers.

Send completed documents to:

Dr. Marlene de la CruzMinority Science Programs School of Biological Sciences1134, Biological Sciences 3University of California, irvineIrvine CA 92617

DEADLINEApplications will be reviewed beginning on

April 9, 2018 (review will continue until all positions are filled).

MINORITY SCIENCE PROGRAMS (MSP)Dr. Luis Mota-Bravo, Director and PIDr. Marlene de la Cruz, Director Student Academic Development and PIReham Riad, Program CoordinatorElizabeth Alvarez,Fiscal officerDr. Amelie Garenaux, SpecialistDr. Andrei Tararenkov, Specialist

http://port.bio.uci.edu/bridges-baccalaureate/

BRIDGES TO THE BACCALAUREATE

Biomedical Research Careers for Community College Students

Dr. Luis Mota-BravoProgram Director

Minority Science Programs (MSP)Office of the Dean

School of Biological Sciences

Applications will be reviewed beginning on April 9, 2018

BRIDGES TO BIOMEDICAL CAREERS

The objective of Bridges is to advance the careers of community college students interested in transferring to four-year universities and pursuing a biomedical research career. The Bridges Program is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and it has been designed to:

Provide comprehensive research training to Bridges students while they receive financial compensation. Paid training components include: 1) research conducted under the direction of UCI faculty mentors, 2) a faculty seminar series, 3) a journal club to introduce scholars to critical reading of current biomedical literature, 4) a two-week intensive workshop on principles, instrumentation and techniques used in biomedical research, 5) preparation of papers, oral presentations and posters, and 6) presentation of research findings at local and national conferences

Provide academic preparation to transfer to and excel at four-year universities

Inform students about career choices and opportunities.

RESEARCH TRAINING AT UCI

UCI is among the top ten public universities nationwide (U.S. News and World Report). UCI is a breeding ground for biomedical breakthroughs.

There are 110 faculty members in the School of Biological Sciences and 362 faculty members in the School of Medicine; combined, these two faculty groups receive more than $145 million per year in external research support.

During the last two decades, UCI has established the Minority Science Programs (MSP), including Bridges, to prepare community college students and undergraduate and graduate students to excel in biomedical research careers. In 2005, the White House conferred on MSP the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

Bridges participants transferring to UCI continue their training under the support of other research training programs in MSP. To begin the program, Bridges participants receive practical training in modern laboratory techniques and then are placed in supportive UCI laboratory working environments where they establish peer/mentor relationships.

Bridges students conduct research in multiple areas, including

Microbiology Biology of Cancer Stem Cell Research Molecular Genetics Neurobiology Infectious Diseases Immunology Bioinformatics

ELIGIBILITYApplicants must be United States citizens or permanent residents from underrepresented minority groups (Black African-Americans, Chicano/Latino Americans, Native Americans, and Natives of the U.S. Pacific Islands). Students should have completed one semester of transferable chemistry and biology at the community college with a science GPA of 3.00. However, exceptions can be made to the GPA requirement for students that have special recommendations from faculty at the community college.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS93% of Bridges students have transferred to four-year universities and colleges and 18 are currently pursuing a Ph.D. Bridges students have authored and coauthored more than 50 publications and received 28 conference awards.