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Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity

Ambassadors | Faculty Mentors | Graduate Program | Undergraduate Program | MAPRS

The NC State Initiative for Maximizing Student Diversity (IMSD) is a program funded by the National Institutes of Health. To reduce healthcare disparities and to bring critical social and cultural perspectives on issues related to biomedical and behavioral research among groups who are typically underrepresented in the research arena, diversity among research professionals is crucial. This program seeks to promote and achieve a diverse biomedical and behavioral science workforce and recognizes the importance of effectively advancing knowledge and creating innovative technologies and treatments.

The IMSD program works closely with the Preparing Future Leaders Program, The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and other university programs in a collaborative effort to provide programming for students. This program seeks to increase, in a meaningful way, the number of students from underrepresented groups receiving doctoral degrees and entering the professoriate in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and to a more limited extent, in social science disciplines. The NC State IMSD accomplishes the goal of increasing diversity in doctoral education and in the professoriate through the following components for US citizens and permanent residents.

IMSD Undergraduate Program | Online Application (Applications have now closed)
We will support and train undergraduate students by: 1) providing students with courses and seminars that will allow them to explore potential careers in biomedical and behavioral sciences; 2) substantially enhancing current educational and professional development activities; 3) expanding support for mentored research opportunities; and 4) training and preparing students to enroll in, and complete, a PhD program in biomedical or behavioral research.

IMSD Graduate Program | Online Application (Applications have now closed)
We will provide graduate assistantships in biomedical and behavioral research to students. Students will receive two years of financial support from IMSD, with subsequent support coming from their respective departments, external funding, or individual research fellowships.

The IMSD program fosters a positive exploratory environment with supportive programming, guidance, and recognition for underrepresented students to complete a PhD in biomedical and behavioral science research and ultimately become faculty researchers and role models for the next generation.

IMSD Target Majors Include:

Biochemistry, Biomedical engineering, Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Entomology, Bioinformatics, Functional Genomics, Genetics, Immunology, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physiology, Plant Biology, Plant Pathology, Psychology, Physics, Statistics, Toxicology, Zoology.

IMSD Contacts

Trudy Mackay, Ph.D
Principal Investigator, IMSD Program
919.515.5810 (phone)
919.515.3355 (fax)

David Shafer, Ph.D
Co-Principal Investigator, IMSD Program
919. 515.7052 (phone)
919.515.2873 (fax)