Graciela A. Unguez - US grants

This proposal addresses several key questions regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of select skeletal muscle genes. Identification of networks that regulate muscle-specific genes would have fundamental implications for the generation of strategies to replace muscle types damaged by degenerative diseases or injury, and have broad relevance to mechanisms of tissue transdifferentiation. In the teleost vertebrate S. macrurus, skeletal muscle fibers fully differentiate only to undergo fusion and subsequent conversion into electrocytes, i.e, the noncontractile currentproducing cells of the electric organ. The mature electric organ shares many but not all cellular features with myogenic cells maintaining the expression of only a subset of the contractile protein profile. Our long term goal is to characterize the genetic, cellular and molecular factors that define the myogenic program in S. macrurus. The main objective of the proposed research is to determine how muscle genes in electrocytes are regulated by the MyoD family of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs). The proposed studies test the hypothesis that the regulation of muscle genes by MRFs differs between muscle and electric organ. Our specific aims are: (1) to define the expression of MRF transcripts and protein products in mature muscle and electric organ at the cellular level, (2) characterize the expression pattern of MRFs during the transdifferentiation of muscle to electric organ, and (3) identify genes regulated by MRFs in muscle versus electric organ. To accomplish these aims, a collection of tools that is amenable to experimentation with S. macrurus has been assembled. Importantly, we can easily induce the transdifferentiation of muscle to electric organ, and we know the changes that occur in muscle protein expression. These studies use a novel but simple model system to further our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involving MRFs in the maintenance of the differentiated muscle phenotype.

ABSTRACT NOT PROVIDED

Animals; Binding Proteins; Biochemistry; Biology; Body Tissues; CRISP; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Cycle Control; Cell Cycle Regulation; Cell Cycle Regulation, Including Apoptosis; Cell Function; Cell Process; Cell physiology; Cells; Cellular Function; Cellular Physiology; Cellular Process; Chemistry; Chemistry, Biological; Communities; Computer Retrieval of Information on Scientific Projects Database; Core Facility; Culturing, in vitro Vertebrate, Primary; Cytokinesis; Cytoplasmic Division; Daily; ES cell; Faculty; Funding; Goals; Grant; In Vitro; Infrastructure; Institution; Instrumentation, Other; Investigators; Life; Ligand Binding Protein; Mammalian Cell; Molecular; Muscle; Muscle Tissue; NIH; National Institutes of Health; National Institutes of Health (U.S.); Natural regeneration; New Mexico; Organism; Pilot Projects; Preparation; Primary Cell Cultures; Programs (PT); Programs [Publication Type]; Protocol; Protocols documentation; R01 Mechanism; R01 Program; RPG; Range; Regeneration; Research; Research Activity; Research Grants; Research Infrastructure; Research Personnel; Research Project Grants; Research Projects; Research Projects, R-Series; Research Resources; Researchers; Resources; Science of Chemistry; Scientist; Source; Students; Subcellular Process; Support of Research; Time; Tissues; Training; United States National Institutes of Health; Universities; Vertebrate Animals; Vertebrates; Visit; cell dedifferentiation; embryonic stem cell; established cell line; experiment; experimental research; experimental study; instrumentation; living system; pilot study; programs; protein protein interaction; regenerate; research study; satellite cell; stem cell of embryonic origin; teleost; tissue culture; transdifferentiation; vertebrata

This proposal addresses several key questions regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of select skeletal muscle genes. Identification of networks that regulate muscle-specific genes would have fundamental implications for the generation of strategies to replace muscle types damaged by degenerative diseases or injury, and have broad relevance to mechanisms of tissue transdifferentiation. In the teleost vertebrate S. macrurus, skeletal muscle fibers fully differentiate only to undergo fusion and subsequent conversion into electrocytes, i.e, the noncontractile currentproducing cells of the electric organ. The mature electric organ shares many but not all cellular features with myogenic cells maintaining the expression of only a subset of the contractile protein profile. Our long term goal is to characterize the genetic, cellular and molecular factors that define the myogenic program in S. macrurus. The main objective of the proposed research is to determine how muscle genes in electrocytes are regulated by the MyoD family of myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs). The proposed studies test the hypothesis that the regulation of muscle genes by MRFs differs between muscle and electric organ. Our specific aims are: (1) to define the expression of MRF transcripts and protein products in mature muscle and electric organ at the cellular level, (2) characterize the expression pattern of MRFs during the transdifferentiation of muscle to electric organ, and (3) identify genes regulated by MRFs in muscle versus electric organ. To accomplish these aims, a collection of tools that is amenable to experimentation with S. macrurus has been assembled. Importantly, we can easily induce the transdifferentiation of muscle to electric organ, and we know the changes that occur in muscle protein expression. These studies use a novel but simple model system to further our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms involving MRFs in the maintenance of the differentiated muscle phenotype.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Two current challenges in the repair of skeletal muscle injury or failure due to degenerative disease, genetic conditions, aging, or trauma are: 1) advancing our understanding of how the mature muscle cell phenotype is maintained, and 2) identification and modification of nerve-dependent processes that are coupled to changes in muscle properties. Meeting these challenges will have critical implications for development of therapies directed toward patients with impaired muscle function. The electric fish Sternopygus macrurus is a powerful vertebrate model system that can help elucidate cellular and molecular mechanisms that affect different features of the muscle program. In S. macrurus, some skeletal muscle fibers fully differentiate only to undergo fusion and subsequent extreme modifications in their morphological and biochemical properties to convert into non-contractile electrogenic cells called electrocytes. Mature electrocytes retain a partial muscle phenotype by continuing to express some, but not all muscle-specific proteins. The suppression of select muscle gene expression in electrocytes is dependent on a continuous, high frequency electrical activation pattern. Further, this deficient muscle phenotype in electrocytes is reversible upon changes in nerve activity patterns. Preliminary data intensified our goal to identify the molecular processes involved in mediating the activity-dependent remodeling of the skeletal muscle program. Specifically, we will test the hypothesis that the transcriptional mechanisms that mediate neural activity-dependent regulation of muscle genes in skeletal muscle differ in electrocytes of S. macrurus. The specific aims of this proposal are: 1) to determine the transcript profiles in skeletal muscle and electrocytes;2) to characterize the role of the calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathway in mediating the neural-dependent regulation of the muscle program in electrocytes, and 3) to identify the genes regulated by myogenic transcription factors in muscle cells versus electrocytes. To ensure the successful completion of the studies proposed, we have established the amenability of S. macrurus to in vivo experimentation using a collection of molecular and cellular tools, and assembled a research team with strong mentorship support and complementary skills and knowledge in neuromuscular biology. This research is expected to enhance our understanding of the processes by which neural input controls myogenic gene expression and maintenance of the muscle phenotype - an understanding of muscle function with critical implications to therapeutic approaches for human muscle diseases. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The significance of optimal skeletal muscle performance for the health of living organisms is profound, and failure of muscle tissue function that results from nerve and muscle degenerative diseases, trauma, genetic conditions, and aging is among the most universal problems of modern medicine. This proposal uses an innovative model system to explore the effects of nerve-induced electrical activity on muscle cell plasticity: a vertebrate fish wherein specific features of the skeletal muscle program can be suppressed by changes in neural input and lead to the transformation of muscle into non-contractile cells. This research is expected to enhance our understanding of the cellular and molecular processes that regulate the maintenance and plasticity of muscle properties - an understanding of muscle function with critical implications to therapeutic approaches for human muscle diseases.

This CREATIV award is partially funded by the Networking Technologies and Systems (NeTS) program in the Division of Computer Networks and Systems in the Directorate of Computer & Information Science & Engineering, the Animal Behavior program through the the Divisions of Integrative Organismal Systems and Emerging Frontiers in the Directorate of Biological Sciences, the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), the Office of the Division Director in CISE/CNS and the Office of the Assistant Director in CISE. This project aims to address the major barriers to adoption of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) in multiple cross-disciplinary domains, particularly high cost, low customizability, lack of rugged designs and complex programming models. The project team aims to surmount these barriers to provide a potentially transformative wireless sensor network design framework that can be used by anyone with minimal technical skills, and yet achieve the benefits of pervasive monitoring and sensing through large-scale ubiquitous wireless sensor networks. The PIs will leverage their multi-disciplinary and cross-domain expertise to address these challenges using experimental biology research as their platform.

The goals of this project are to provide and/or enable: 1) a hardware framework for low-cost, rugged, and customizable sensor nodes, in a wide range of form factors, 2) autonomous manipulation and monitoring of electro-physiological parameters of electro-motor circuits in vivo and in vitro using WSNs, 3) novel network protocols and algorithms for monitoring aquatic animals in the field, and 4) a software framework that makes programming WSNs easy and intuitive for users with minimal programming experience. By removing the barriers to adoption through plug-and-play, and easy customization and programming, this proposed research hopes to make WSNs ubiquitous in our daily life in general and in biology research in particular.

In the short term, this project will enable experimental researchers in labs and in the field to stimulate and monitor animals/specimen in real-time and without human intervention, which will significantly improve understanding of animal responses to diverse stimuli. In the long term, the outcomes of this research will help WSNs become ubiquitous in our daily life and as easy to use as computers today. The project will provide undergraduate and graduate students including women and minorities in the classes and labs of the PIs the benefit of an unique interdisciplinary learning and research environment. It will leverage NSF GK-12 DISSECT, BPC, and YWiC initiatives in the computer science department of New Mexico State University to expose middle and high school students in the city of Las Cruces to STEM research and teach them computational thinking.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The New Mexico State University RISE Program is diversifying the community of health scientists by supporting PhD degree completion by NMSU students who are members of groups underrepresented in biomedical/biobehavioral research. NMSU is able to achieve this goal because of the institution's unique status as a doctoral, research-intensive (NIH-INBRE), land grant, minority (Hispanic) serving university with a diverse student population and a cadre of accomplished mentors. Key outcomes of the twelve-year NMSU RISE research education program are: 87% retention to science careers after NMSU PhD completion; 97% retention to degree completion by NMSU PhD students; student-authored publications; achievement of student independent support; national recognition for student research excellence; and student entry to postdoctoral positions in R1 institutions. This application requests funds to continue to train twelve RISE to the Postdoctorate (RTP) graduate students yearly under RISE Option III. The Project Aims are: 1) RTP/MS will enable completion of the MS degree by 75% of the MS Scholars and their subsequent entry to PhD programs; 2) RTP/PhD will enable completion of a PhD by 90% of the PhD Scholars and their subsequent entry to postdoctoral positions. Students in the NMSU RISE Program are prepared for the next step of their career through mentored research experiences, professional development activities, formal courses, scientific workshops that develop cutting edge quantitative and technical skills, and through the guided expansion of their research social network. Three developmental activities will provide core skills to prepare students for success in different scientific fields and careers: Activity 1, Research Leadership in the 21st Century, develops the professional skills that maximize research productivity, funding success, and degree completion in 5 years; Activity 2, Preparing for the Professoriate, provides core teaching and mentorship skills essential for academic success in faculty positions; Activity 3, START-UP (Student Training and Research through United Partnerships) provides scientific and technical workshops and enhanced student off-site research training by establishing a formal network with R1 university department heads, program directors, and center leaders. RTP students are guided toward career independence through preparation of individualized development plans and electronic professional portfolios for yearly review, and through submission of fellowship and internship applications. RTP student activities are institutionalized through course offerings or through dissemination in university-wide workshops organized by the Graduate School and NMSU Teaching Academy. Students participate in formal education in Responsible Conduct in Research that is reinforced by faculty mentor practices and educational activities developed in partnership with colleagues in the START-UP network. Assessment and evaluation of program practices and outcomes are integrated into the design and continual refinement of programmatic elements.

The overall goal of this collaboration between New Mexico State University (NMSU), a minority-serving institution, and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC), a comprehensive cancer center, is to expand the current regional cancer program at NMSU and to increase knowledge and attention to cancer related health disparities at FHCRC and NMSU. Three specific aims will help us achieve our overall goal: 1.To conduct a diverse portfolio of cancer research projects. We will use the same structured development and rigorous review process to select new projects during the five-year award. 2. To maintain, strengthen, and evaluate our effective training programs for current and future underserved scientists. A new core will integrate all training components. 3. To implement cancer-related public health interventions in underserved communities. As part of this aim, we will conduct research and disseminate evidence-based practices. This proposal begins with a section elucidating the overall objectives and partnership integration of the proposal. We discuss our goals and objectives, our planning, and especially our progress in the current U54. This is followed by an Administrative Core (Core B) that describes the leadership of the two institutions and the mechanism for ensuring junior faculty have sufficient mentorship to move to senior positions. Our Planning and Evaluation Core (Core C) outlines the rigorous procedures we have in place for evaluating current and future projects. The Development Core (Core D) includes two pilot projects and two full projects. Our new Integrated Training and Evaluation Core (Core E) seeks to provide numerous opportunities for ongoing training and meticulous evaluation of those training activities. The Outreach Core (Core F) focuses on training medical residents and health care providers, an academic-community partnership, and outreach through Community Health Educators who will collaborate with the County Extension Service to provide evidence-based interventions to community members. A logic model indicates how the pieces come together to have significant impact on both cancer research and cancer disparities.

Research Education Core: Research Education About Cancer and Health (REACH Core) Core Leaders: Graciela A. Unguez, NMSU; Julian Simon, Fred Hutch Core Key Personnel: Ernesto Moralez, NMSU; India Ornelas, Fred Hutch [The content of this REACH Core is identical in the NMSU and Fred Hutch proposals] Abstract: The U54 Partnership requests a third cycle of U54 support for a research education core designed to deliver the highest impact for the two institutions and the NIH with regard to shared missions for research education in cancer, health disparities, and preparation of future scientists who will contribute to the diversification of the biomedical research workforce. This Research Education About Cancer and Health (REACH) Core is validated by the exceptional success of the educational components collectively known as the Integrated Training and Evaluation Core (ITREC) in previous U54 Partnership funding cycles. Based on our experience facilitating undergraduate and graduate research internships, in addition to feedback from the PSC, Study Section reviewers, and alignment with institutional resources, the proposed REACH Core will expand the Partnership?s research education portfolio and impact by offering networking and professional development opportunities for students to be involved in all transdisciplinary aspects of the U54 Partnership. The specific aims of this Core are to: 1) Implement integrated biomedical research education programs, with an emphasis on cancer and/or health disparities research, across a spectrum of academic levels to diversify the pipeline of students from underrepresented (UR) groups in the scientific workforce contributing to biomedical and population health research; 2) Provide concurrent and on-going support for academic and professional goal attainment among program participants; 3) Conduct formative assessments to measure strengths and inform areas for improvement of research education activities to meet the diverse needs of participants; 4) Maintain and enhance current long-term tracking tools in concert with the Planning & Evaluation Core to offer sustained scientific advisory support to participants within the U54 Partnership. To achieve these aims, we have developed a portfolio of eight activities that prioritize the current needs to promote and heighten cancer research education that is focused on undergraduate and graduate students at both institutions. Specifically, research-intensive experiences in cancer, cancer health disparities and related biomedical research for students that participate in Fred Hutch summer internships and students working in labs of funded U54 at the NMSU campus will be supplemented with additional educational initiatives that include: 1) preparation of an Individual Development Plan, 2) Responsible Conduct of Research, 3) Strategic Team Science Building (STSB) activities that provide opportunities for students to be exposed to and engage in team science research projects and foster transdisciplinary interaction, 4) team-led Shared Resources Research Workshops. We will evaluate the long term impact of this Core on meeting the four specific aims proposed and the level to which the REACH Core helps achieve the short, medium, and long-term outcomes of the U54 Partnership to maintain, strengthen, and evaluate our effective research education programs for current and future underrepresented scientists.

Partnership for the Advancement of Cancer Research: NMSU ? Fred Hutch Multiple PIs: Graciela A. Unguez, Mary O'Connell (NMSU) and Julian Simon, Beti Thompson (Fred Hutch) [The content of the Overall Section is identical in the NMSU and Fred Hutch proposals.] PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The U54 Partnership between New Mexico State University (NMSU), an Institution Serving Underserved Health Disparities Populations and Underrepresented Students (ISUPS), and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Fred Hutch) a major cancer center, is a mature mutually beneficial partnership; the two institutions worked together on a U56 (2002-2007) and two cycles of a U54 (2007 ? 2018). In our 15-year Partnership, we have accomplished many goals; for example, NMSU now has a strong cancer research infrastructure and Fred Hutch is increasing its attention to health disparities research. Our overall goals for this U54 cycle are to increase and maintain our excellence in the cancer research portfolio, cancer education, and outreach and dissemination; further, we will expand our efforts to develop leaders in cancer research and cancer health disparities research. Five specific aims will help us achieve our overall goals to: (1) Continue to develop a diverse portfolio of robust cancer research projects that span clinical, basic, and population health sciences; (2) Collaborate with regional community organizations that work with underrepresented populations to reduce cancer health disparities; (3) Maintain, strengthen, and evaluate our effective research education programs for current and future underrepresented scientists; (4) Continue to implement evidence-based relevant cancer-related public health interventions within underrepresented communities; and (5) Expand the scientific collaboration among U54 Partnership members and other faculty within the two institutions. To achieve these aims, we have assembled a broad portfolio of innovative cancer research projects (two full research projects and two pilot research projects) that each address an unmet regional need among underrepresented populations. Recent emphasis on health disparities represents a shift in the focus of our Partnership from basic to public health science research projects. These projects benefit from strong community input. In addition to the four research projects, we propose five cores: Administrative, Planning and Evaluation, Research Education About Cancer and Health (REACH), Outreach and Sustain Competitive Cancer Early Stage Scientists (SuCCESS) Cores that promote the development of cancer research, education, community collaboration, in-reach, and outreach. The Partnership has and will continue to play a unique and critical role in both institutions' efforts to increase recruitment and retention of underrepresented individuals in the biomedical research pipeline. Additionally, the Partnership has significantly increased cancer research capacity at NMSU, while also increasing participation in health disparities research at Fred Hutch?both institutions have benefited substantially from the Partnership.

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT Not Applicable.

ABSTRACT The biomedical research workforce faces steep declines in recruitment and retention of under-represented researchers, from undergraduate study to the senior professoriate, and an escalating attrition of those at the PhD-level as they are nearing potential careers as independent investigators (Fuhrmann, Halme et al. 2011). To address these challenges, evidence-based mechanisms that enhance mentoring, networking, and career transitions are needed, but the specific mechanisms that make them effective are still unclear. Elucidating these mechanisms is critical to future efforts to diversify and retain the biomedical research workforce. To that end, our objective is to test a predictive model of the influence of skills for communicating across difference (CAD) on long-term outcomes for both students and their junior mentors (graduate students and postdocs). Our central hypothesis is that acquiring CAD skills will influence distal outcomes for diverse trainees' career persistence and network growth, as well as junior mentors' subsequent engagement in mentoring of diverse trainees, and can be modeled using an adapted version of the Tripartite Integration Model of Social Influence (TIMSI). Our specific aims are to measure effects of a CAD workshop series in a longitudinal, randomized controlled trial of dyads of summer students and their matched junior mentors, with additional group-effects analysis for under-represented groups; 2) to identify causal relationships of the variables and create 2 related TIMSI-based models: one for career intention outcomes and one for mentoring intention outcomes; and 3) to assess long-term impact of CAD skills and predictive utility of the student and mentor models by tracking outcomes of known Hallmarks of Success such as completion of STEM degrees, publication, and others. By investigating the role of CAD skills, we expect to model the psychological processes by which research career persistence is strengthened for all participants, and commitment to mentoring diverse trainees is strengthened for junior mentors. Innovations of the proposed research include its unique focus on linguistic skills, the dyadic and interactional analytic approach, the analysis of psychological development processes as senior trainees become junior mentors, and the use of flexible, generative skills rather than acquired knowledge as a mechanism of change. Our long-term goal is help diversify the biomedical workforce through an approach which addresses the interactional roles of both under-represented and well-represented groups simultaneously. This research, conducted by our uniquely qualified team, directly addresses priorities outlined by the NIH National Research Mentor Network and will contribute to our understanding of mechanisms that enhance mentoring and career transition and thereby broaden participation in the biomedical workforce.

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT Not Applicable.

Partnership for the Advancement of Cancer Research: NMSU ? Fred Hutch Multiple PIs: Graciela A. Unguez, Mary O'Connell (NMSU) and Julian Simon, Beti Thompson (Fred Hutch) [The content of the Overall Section is identical in the NMSU and Fred Hutch proposals.] PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The U54 Partnership between New Mexico State University (NMSU), an Institution Serving Underserved Health Disparities Populations and Underrepresented Students (ISUPS), and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Fred Hutch) a major cancer center, is a mature mutually beneficial partnership; the two institutions worked together on a U56 (2002-2007) and two cycles of a U54 (2007 ? 2018). In our 15-year Partnership, we have accomplished many goals; for example, NMSU now has a strong cancer research infrastructure and Fred Hutch is increasing its attention to health disparities research. Our overall goals for this U54 cycle are to increase and maintain our excellence in the cancer research portfolio, cancer education, and outreach and dissemination; further, we will expand our efforts to develop leaders in cancer research and cancer health disparities research. Five specific aims will help us achieve our overall goals to: (1) Continue to develop a diverse portfolio of robust cancer research projects that span clinical, basic, and population health sciences; (2) Collaborate with regional community organizations that work with underrepresented populations to reduce cancer health disparities; (3) Maintain, strengthen, and evaluate our effective research education programs for current and future underrepresented scientists; (4) Continue to implement evidence-based relevant cancer-related public health interventions within underrepresented communities; and (5) Expand the scientific collaboration among U54 Partnership members and other faculty within the two institutions. To achieve these aims, we have assembled a broad portfolio of innovative cancer research projects (two full research projects and two pilot research projects) that each address an unmet regional need among underrepresented populations. Recent emphasis on health disparities represents a shift in the focus of our Partnership from basic to public health science research projects. These projects benefit from strong community input. In addition to the four research projects, we propose five cores: Administrative, Planning and Evaluation, Research Education About Cancer and Health (REACH), Outreach and Sustain Competitive Cancer Early Stage Scientists (SuCCESS) Cores that promote the development of cancer research, education, community collaboration, in-reach, and outreach. The Partnership has and will continue to play a unique and critical role in both institutions' efforts to increase recruitment and retention of underrepresented individuals in the biomedical research pipeline. Additionally, the Partnership has significantly increased cancer research capacity at NMSU, while also increasing participation in health disparities research at Fred Hutch?both institutions have benefited substantially from the Partnership.

ABSTRACT Optimizing the quantitative training of our workforce workforce is essential for maintaining the nation?s scientific competitiveness and leadership in promoting biomedical research that will improve human health. It is well documented that the misuse of statistical methods is common in basic biomedical science research, even among papers published in high impact journals (1-3). These problems stem mainly from a limited understanding of statistics, suggesting that scientists need better statistical training. Our MARC Scholars are completing baccalaureate majors in different colleges and/or different departments within one college. While many departments at NMSU currently offer or require statistics training, these courses are unlikely to provide appropriate statistical preparation for basic scientists given the obvious differences in study designs between science disciplines. Providing our students with curriculum designed around sample sizes, study designs, and types of data that are frequently encountered in biomedical research is ideal. This application requests funds to enrich the scientific training of all MARC Scholars by increasing their conceptual understanding and skills needed to analyze data, assess the literature, improve the quality of statistical reporting and analysis in their respective fields of research, and develop strong communication skills with peers within and outside the scientific community. The Supplement Aims are to: 1) strengthen the students? understanding and application of a quantitative- based approach when analyzing and solving problems; and 2) formalize the professional development curriculum by implementing effective practices aimed at integrating the students into the research community and helping them make connections that will advance not only the science itself, but their careers in biomedical research. Students will conduct a hands-on data analysis workshop in Summer, Fall and Spring semesters in which students will learn to perform basic descriptive and inferential analyses using ?real data.? Data sets will be chosen to provide challenges like those students might encounter in working with their own data (e.g., data entry errors, missing values, outliers). Their acquired knowledge will be translated into their own research presentations and critical evaluations of peer reviewed literature during regularly held meetings throughout the academic year. These activities will be accompanied by core mentorship skills essential for academic success in graduate school. Assessment and evaluation of program practices and outcomes are integrated into the design and continual refinement of programmatic elements. Proposed supplemental activities are institutionalized through course offerings.

We will recruit, nurture and train honors students in STEM majors at NMSU that are related to biomedical disciplines of Biochemistry, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Genetics, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Microbiology, Environmental Science, Horticulture and Animal Science for entry into strong graduate programs across the USA. Our ultimate goal is the graduation of doctorate students. The program will be research intensive with each student working in a group with our finest research faculty for a period of 24 month. The student will be expected to attend scientific meetings to present their research results to the scientific community. Along with the research exposure and training, the students will have special focused classes on Bioethics, Responsible Conduct of Research, Oral and Written Presentation, etc. The RCR and Ethics components will be taught by Dr. Mark Walker, a Philosophy Professor at NMSU whose expertise lies in Biomedical Research Ethics. There will be, in addition, a weekly Careers in Biomedical Sciences class taught by the Program Director where ethics will also be discussed. We will also bring in top scholars from NMSU and other research universities to present research. The latter group will also recruit our students into their summer and graduate programs. Summer research experiences off campus are critical to our students' success and each MARC student will go off campus, typically in the summer before their senior year. These experience give our students the confidence (and further research tools) needed to be successful in graduate programs. We will conduct undergraduate research appreciation events in the Fall and Spring semesters. The Fall event will lead to the appointment of 5 NMSU funded sophomores into research positions. These events will help recruit new students into the MARC program. These experiences as a whole will enhance the preparation and training of NMSU undergraduate as scientists to join the research efforts in the USA.

Unguez, G PROJECT ABSTRACT The Society for Developmental Biology (SDB) is diversifying the community of developmental biologists by supporting undergraduate students who are members of groups underrepresented in basic/biomedical developmental biology and related research fields. SDB is able to achieve this goal because of the Society?s unique infrastructure already in place by the Choose Development! (CD) Program (2013-present), which provides a research-intensive undergraduate training experience to undergraduate students at a lab of an established developmental biologist, a multi-level mentoring plan for each student, society-wide recognition and enculturation activities at national meetings and continued support in years after participation in the Choose Development! Program. Key outcomes of the introductory Choose Development! Program include: (1) Of a total of 33 undergraduate Fellows, 63% of Fellows that have graduated (27) have entered a graduate program in developmental biology or closely related field (including one MD/PhD), 11% have entered medical school, and 11% have taken gap years in preparation towards submitting a more competitive application to graduate schools while working in their previous mentors? lab; (2) to date, a total of 10 publications have involved the research of CD Fellows, with 8 manuscripts having a Fellow as a co-author and 2 crediting Fellows in the acknowledgements; (3) increased awareness and appreciation across the entire SDB led to proactive actions aimed at diversifying committees, Board of Directors, increased representation from non-R1 institutions, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students on the Board and active searches of underrepresented speakers at annual meetings. These cumulative outcomes of the CD Program have provided these Fellows an atmosphere of inclusiveness within the entire SDB and has impacted their continuation in the field. Proposed educational and mentoring activities enhance the two-summer immersion requirement of each participant in the research laboratory of an established SDB member anywhere in the USA. Summer hands-on research experiences by trainees will take place in laboratories that study the development of multicellular organisms at the molecule, cell, tissue, organ and whole organism levels and cover topics ranging from stem cells and nuclear reprogramming to evolutionary developmental and systems biology, and from computational analysis to identify gene regulatory networks involved in morphogenesis and organogenesis to the etiology of disease - all topics of great relevance to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.