How mentorship and social connections affect success in biomedical careers for diverse students
Official title: Intersection of Social Capital, Mentorship and Networking on Persistence, Engagement and Science Identity
Funded at Alabama State University · NIH-10653179 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how having mentors and making connections can help undergraduate students from different backgrounds succeed in the biomedical field, especially during their first two years of college.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Alabama State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Montgomery, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $594,149 |
| NIH project number | 5U01GM132769-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10653179 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds, particularly those attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
✕Less likely to help
Students who are not enrolled in undergraduate programs or those from non-diverse backgrounds may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of mentorship and networking on the success of undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds in the biomedical field. It aims to understand how social and contextual factors influence these students' engagement and persistence in their studies and careers. The study will involve interventions focused on mentoring and networking during the critical early years of college, particularly targeting freshmen and sophomores. By analyzing data from historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), the research seeks to identify effective strategies to enhance the science identity and career advancement of these students.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mentorship programs that significantly enhance the career trajectories of underrepresented students in the biomedical sciences.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that effective mentorship can positively impact the success of underrepresented groups in various fields, suggesting that this approach may yield beneficial results.
Where this research is happening
-
Alabama State University
Montgomery, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mishra, Manoj K. — Alabama State University
- Study coordinator: Mishra, Manoj K.
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.