Programs

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) supports research training for honors undergraduates beginning in their third and fourth year (or 2 years from graduation), and is intended to prepare these students to compete successfully for entry into graduate programs leading to the Ph.D. or combined M.D.-Ph.D. degree in basic biomedical sciences. Trainees are selected to participate from the College of Science and Mathematics, Psychology, Kinesiology, Environmental and Occupational Health, Engineering and some majors in Health Sciences. In addition to the undergraduate curriculum, MARC trainees will also be able to take advanced graduate courses, when appropriate, take a minimum of one semester of biology, complete the writing skills course, take at least one credit of research and/or directed reading each semester, and participate in summer programs.

MARC Program Provides:

1. Mentorship
2. Research experience
3. Financial support (fees, tuition, stipend)
4. Other trainee-related experiences

Undergraduate Requirements:

1. Four week workshop the Summer before junior year
2. 15 hrs/week of MARC related activities including lab time during the academic year
3. Attendance and participation in MARC/RISE seminar series, national student focused and society conferences
4. Participation in summer programs
5. Completion of MARC thesis

Eligibility:

1. Full-time current enrollment at CSUN
2. Average grade point (GPA) of 3.0 or  better
3. U.S. citizen or permanent residency
4. Must demonstrate an interest and be in the pursuit of Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in a field of biomedical research and be identified as underrepresented in biomedical research.

The major thrust of the RISE program is to develop populations underrepresented in biomedical research, faculty, and institutional involvement in biomedical research. Participants can include freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors and graduate M.A./M.S. majors from the College of Science and Mathematics, Psychology, Kinesiology, Environmental and Occupational Health, Engineering and some majors in Health Sciences who are Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. Bound. Program participation in biomedical research includes conceptualization of important research questions, design experiments, review of literature, collection and analysis of data and finally interpretations and reporting of results at scientific meetings and in scientific journals.

RISE Program Provides:

1. Mentorship and research experience
2. Paid hourly wages for lab time
3. A budget for research supplies and materials & travel
4. Tuition and fees (graduate students only)

Undergraduate Requirements:

1. 15 hrs/week of paid lab time during the academic year
2. 40 hrs/week of paid lab time during the summer
3. Attendance and participation in MARC/RISE seminar series, national student focused and society conferences
4. Completion of RISE thesis.

Graduate Requirements:

1. 20 hrs/week of paid lab time during the academic year and summer
2. Attendance and participation in MARC/RISE seminar series, national student-focused and society conferences
3. Progress toward completion of MS

Eligibility:

1. Full-time, current enrollment at CSUN
2. 2.8 grade point average (GPA)
3. U.S. Citizenship or permanent residency
4. Demonstrate an interest and be in the pursuit of a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. in a field of biomedical research and be identified as underrepresented in biomedical research.