Project Funding

Project Funding

Funding for this project is provided by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund

Project Summary: Disparities in career attainment in STEM fields have been observed for both women and underrepresented minorities and have contributed to challenges associated with promoting and maintaining a diverse STEM workforce. To address these challenges, PERSIST will provide a STEM early intervention program to 4 cohorts of 20 rising 10th-12th grade females demonstrating STEM interest and potential. PERSIST’s overall objective is to enhance the STEM workforce by

  1. Building scientific and technical competencies, and enhancing interest and self-efficacy in STEM professions by providing a two-week simulated biomedical industry summer experience infused with inclusivity and professionalism training that enables students to earn 3 college credits
  2. Strengthening the STEM pipeline by providing academic year programming for bioscience career exploration, mentoring, and professional networking.

The summer learning experience will involve a project-based curriculum focused on two phases of the FDA drug development process (Drug Discovery, Clinical Research), including guest lectures and interactive discussions with leading drug development and clinical research scientists, as well as inclusivity training using case studies introducing issues related to health disparities and ethics of using human participants in research with a particular focus on vulnerable populations. The program will also include professional development training in an experiential context including time and project management, cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural communication and teamwork, and professional communication needed for successful STEM careers.

Academic year programming will include six in-person weekend workshops covering bioscience career exploration led by industry experts and providing the opportunity for continued faculty and peer mentoring, as well as career networking with research scientists. Participants will also have access to the project’s web portal, linking them with other STEM programs, potential biomedical internship opportunities, and information on STEM-related careers. 

Grant Title: PERSIST: Pipeline Enhancement to Retain Students via Inclusive STEM Training
Funder: Burroughs Wellcome Fund
Award Dates: 12/1/21 – 10/31/24
Award Amount: $177,755