Helping underrepresented students succeed in biomedical education
Official title: Supporting Student Agency in Undergraduate Biomedical Education
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-10906118 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about making science classes better for underrepresented minority students, like Black, Latinx, American Indigenous, and Pacific Islander students, by helping them feel more included and confident, so they can succeed and stick with their studies in biomedical fields.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $667,398 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM147147-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906118 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are undergraduate students from underrepresented minority backgrounds pursuing biomedical education.
✕Less likely to help
Students who are not pursuing biomedical education or who do not identify as part of the underrepresented minority groups may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the educational experiences of underrepresented minority (URM) students in biomedical fields, particularly Black, Latinx, American Indigenous, and Pacific Islander students. It aims to address feelings of alienation and impostor syndrome by promoting a sense of agency among these students through targeted interventions in introductory science classes. The study will involve a large-scale experiment across multiple universities, assessing the impact of these interventions on student motivation and classroom dynamics. By aligning science education with the social identities and values of URM students, the research seeks to enhance their academic persistence and achievement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to increased representation and success of URM students in biomedical majors and careers.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary research has shown promise in using agency-oriented interventions to improve student outcomes, suggesting that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Patall, Erika a. — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Patall, Erika a.
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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.