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CSUMB NIH GREAT Scholars Program

In collaboration with the NIH NHGRI and UCSC Genomics Institute

Dr. Nate Jue, njue@csumb.edu

Dr. Shahidul Islam, sislam@csumb.edu

Dr. Marina Ramon, mlramon@ucsc.edu

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VISION: To improve the health of all humans through advances in genomics research.

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MISSION: As a leading authority in the field of genomics, our mission is to accelerate scientific and medical breakthroughs that improve human health. We do this by driving cutting-edge research, developing new technologies, and studying the impact of genomics on society.

The NHGRI

Background

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NIH NHGRI GREAT Program

  • Genome Research Experiences to Attract Talented Undergraduates into the Genomics Field to Enhance Diversity (GREAT)
  • Part of NIH initiative to support the diversification of the genomics workforce
  • Two awards in year 1
    1. University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras
    2. CSUMB
  • 5-year award
    • PIs:
      1. CSUMB
        1. Drs. Nate Jue and Shahidul Islam
      2. UCSC
        • Dr. Marina Ramon
        • Dr. Zia Isola (retired)

Background

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Program Structure

  • Research Training program that provides support for research, academic, mentoring, and professional development opportunities
  • ~2 year program
    • Year One
      • Fall - Application, orientation, on-boarding
      • Spring - Courses (Genomics/Prof. Dev.), Training Workshops, Mentoring, Skill and Subject Matter Preparation
      • Summer - Research Internship @ UCSC Genomics Institute
    • Year Two
      • On-going support for research activities, courses (Genomics/Prof. Dev.), travel to meetings, and mentoring on post-graduation opportunities

Structure

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Program Requirements

  • Maintain GPA of 3.0 or higher while in the program
  • Regular in-person attendance at all required programmatic meetings, workshops and courses; some workshop may occur over University breaks such as Spring Break
  • In-person participation in 8-10 week summer research experience at UCSC
  • Enrollment in Spring 1-Unit Survey in Genomics course each year in the program and 1-Unit UROC courses RSCH 200 in Spring of year 1 and RSCH 400 in Fall of Year 2.
  • Participation in program assessment and peer mentoring activities

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Requirements

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Financial Supports

  • Up to 1100 hours of paid research time both during the summer and school years (~$16,500)
  • Support for travel to meetings (~$4,000)
  • Summer housing and living expenses ($3,800)
  • Limited Tuition Scholarship ($957 to cover 2-units worth of tuition each year)
  • Workshop fees ($1,000)

Finances

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Previous Scholars: Summer 2023

Projects:

  • Steelhead Trout population genetics
  • Brain organoids development
  • Single-cell cancer genomics
  • SARS-CoV-2 functional and evolutionary genomics
  • Alewife population genetics

Past students

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Current Scholars: Summer 2024

Projects

  • Human Genome Atlas duration
  • Brain organoid development
  • Cancer immunity genomics
  • Microsatellites and mutation regulation
  • eDNA in habitat restoration
  • Rockfish genetic species identification

Past students

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Application

Tell us about yourself and why you would be a successful scholar�https://tinyurl.com/4735xw7k

  • Who would you like to work with and why?

https://sites.google.com/csumb.edu/nih-great-scholars/people

Application link

GREAT website

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Questions?