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Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering

ISSN for PRINT: 1072-8325

Institutional price:	$211.00
Issues per year:	4

Best Paper Award Selection - Editorial Board Site

2005, Volume11

120 pages

DOI: 10.1615/JWomenMinorScienEng.v11.i1

Issue price - $42.00

A SCIENCE PIPELINE PATHWAY FOR TRAINING UNDERREPRESENTED STUDENTS IN THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Lawrence J. Alfred
College of Sciences, San Diego State University; and University of California, San Diego

Cathie Atkins
College of Sciences, San Diego State University; and University of California, San Diego

Michelle Lopez
College of Sciences, San Diego State University; and University of California, San Diego

Thelma Chavez
College of Sciences, San Diego State University; and University of California, San Diego

Vernon Avila
College of Sciences, San Diego State University; and University of California, San Diego

Paul Paolini
College of Sciences, San Diego State University; and University of California, San Diego

ABSTRACT

This article describes a science pipeline program designed to increase the number of minority students preparing for future biomedical research careers. This study focused on the importance of undergraduate students' participation in faculty-mentored research projects and on students' decisions to enter graduate school. The academic performance of participating minority students was compared with that of ethnic-specific nonparticipating students and majority nonparticipating students. More than 1,200 San Diego State University minority students were tracked through college. Of 132 who have graduated from two support programs, 53% entered graduate programs, and 39% have already completed advanced degrees. The major factors in a student's decision to enter graduate school in the biomedical sciences were faculty mentoring and his or her participation in faculty research projects. College participants in a California State University system wide mathematics enrichment program showed retention rates of 57% for minorities, 35% for minority nonparticipants, and 46% for majority nonparticipants.