Creating pathways for underrepresented students to enter biomedical careers
Official title: ISU Bridges to Research Careers
Funded at Idaho State University · NIH-10768131 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program is designed to help first-generation and low-income college students from diverse backgrounds explore careers in biomedical fields by offering mentoring, hands-on research experiences, and special classes, so they can build their skills and confidence as future scientists.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Idaho State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pocatello, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $328,482 |
| NIH project number | 1R25AI179573-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10768131 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are first-generation college students and those from low-income backgrounds pursuing undergraduate degrees in biomedical sciences.
✕Less likely to help
Students who are already established in biomedical careers or those not pursuing a degree in this field may not benefit from this program.
What this research studies
This program aims to support first-generation and low-income college students from underrepresented backgrounds in pursuing biomedical careers. It will establish an inclusive research education community that provides mentoring, hands-on research opportunities, and specialized courses in bacteriophage discovery and bioinformatics. By engaging students early in their college journey, the program seeks to equip them with essential skills and foster their identity as scientists. Participants will have access to a network of biomedical research labs, enhancing their educational and professional development.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the representation of underrepresented populations in biomedical fields.
How similar studies have gone: Similar initiatives have shown success in increasing diversity in STEM fields, indicating a promising approach for this program.
Where this research is happening
-
Idaho State University
Pocatello, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, Michael Allen — Idaho State University
- Study coordinator: Thomas, Michael Allen
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.