The IMSD program was established in 2008 at UCSD and is funded by the National Institutes of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS). The goal of the IMSD program is to motivate, mentor, and facilitate the transition of students from disadvantaged economic and social backgrounds and students with disabilities from college education to Ph.D. programs in the sciences. The UCSD-IMSD program is composed of three consecutive phases starting with training during the first years of a student’s college education, followed by hands-on research experience, and ending with the awarding of a Ph.D. degree in biomedical sciences.

1. D R . V A L I T A J O N E S
C E N T E R F O R I N V E S T I G A T I O N O F H E A L T H A N D E D U C A T I O N D I S P A R I T I E S ( C I H E D )
UCSD IMSD PROGRAM

2. INITIATIVE FOR MAXIMIZING STUDENT
DEVELOPMENT (IMSD)
• The IMSD program was established in 2008 at UCSD and
is funded by the National Institutes of General Medical
Sciences (NIGMS). The goal of the IMSD program is to
motivate, mentor, and facilitate the transition of
students from disadvantaged economic and social
backgrounds and students with disabilities from college
education to Ph.D. programs in the sciences. The
UCSD-IMSD program is composed of three consecutive
phases starting with training during the first years of a
student’s college education, followed by hands-on
research experience, and ending with the awarding of
a Ph.D. degree in biomedical sciences.

3. UCSD IMSD PROGRAM
• Phase 1. Basic Methodology Training Laboratory (BMTL): Students with no or limited prior
research experience are introduced to scientific work via fundamental experimental
instruction within the BMTL. In this setting, students learn the essential research principles
and skills (laboratory safety, basic techniques, data collection, and analysis) that will
prepare them to participate in organized independent research projects. During the 14
week training period, students learn several state-of-the art techniques and participate in
a small research project under the supervision of an advanced graduate student.
• Phase 2. Independent Research Project: Students participate in hands-on, bench
research projects under the mentorship of established, well-funded investigators. Students
are trained in several aspects of science, including experimental design, execution, data
analysis and presentations, which increase their competitiveness as graduate school
candidates. Students participate in an independent research project as well as typical
laboratory activities, such as group meetings and journal clubs. Students are encouraged
to present their projects at national meetings or in peer-reviewed publications. Scholars
are assisted in the preparation of strong graduate school applications.
• Phase 3. Graduate School Education: Students that enroll into a UCSD graduate program
in the areas of biomedical research, biological sciences, neuroscience, bioengineering,
and bioinformatics are supported during their first year of graduate education and
assisted in their applications to individual fellowships and in the search for professional
activities upon graduation, such as postdoctoral training.

4. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
• Eligibility: a student must meet the following criteria: 1) be
a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; 2) come from a socio-
economically disadvantaged background (a
disadvantaged background includes coming from an
environment that has inhibited the individual from
obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to
enroll in higher education and/or living in a household
with an annual income at or below established low-
income thresholds according to family size published by
the U.S. Census Bureau) or be from a group that is
underrepresented in the biomedical sciences (African-
American, Hispanic, American Indian, Native American,
U.S. Pacific Islander), or have a demonstrated disability.