Enrichment Programs
MARC GatorSTAR
The MARC GatorSTAR program supports selected, full-time juniors and seniors who are from groups traditionally underrepresented in biomedical research and who intend to pursue a PhD degree in biomedical or behavioral science-related disciplines. Students who are accepted into the program become GatorSTAR Trainees for their junior and senior years, during which they receive a scholarship, a stipend, and travel support, totaling up to $52,000. Trainees participate in programs to enhance their academic preparation and research skills, and participate in intensive research experiences with UF faculty mentors and faculty mentors at partner institutions throughout the southeast. The GatorSTAR program supports the Trainees through to their graduation with a BS degree in a biomedical or behavioral science-related discipline, and promotes each Trainee’s continuation to a successful career as a research scientist.
Recruitment of Trainees to the MARC GatorSTAR program typically begins with UF sophomores and eligible students who have transferred or plan to transfer to UF from state or community colleges and other higher education institutions. Research and program coursework begins in the summer prior to the Trainee’s junior year, during which the Trainee completes a summer research skills and ethics course and begins mentored research with a UF program faculty mentor with whom the Trainee is matched. The mentored research experience continues during the Trainee’s junior year under the supervision of the UF program faculty mentor. In the summer prior to the Trainee’s senior year, the Trainee may participate in full-time, off-campus research with an external faculty research mentor at an affiliated southeast institution. The Trainee then continues participation in mentored research with their UF program faculty mentor during the Trainee’s senior year, culminating with the submission of an Honors Thesis.
This program is funded by an award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) to D. Julian and Talline Martins.
SF2UF Bridge to the Baccalaureate Program
The SF2UF Bridge to the Baccalaureate Program is a partnership between Santa Fe College and the University of Florida. The SF2UF Bridge Program seeks to increase the number of SF students from traditionally underrepresented groups in the biomedical and behavioral sciences who go on to transfer to UF and graduate with bachelor’s degrees in biomedical and behavioral science-related disciplines.
The goal of the SF2UF Bridge program is to support each Trainee’s education, research experience, and professional development. A highlight of the program is that selected students can conduct scientific research in the laboratory of a University of Florida professor as undergraduates while enrolled at Santa Fe College. In addition, SF2UF Bridge supports and enhances the educational experience of all Santa Fe College students through a new course-based undergraduate research experience, through the chemistry and biology tutoring center at SF, through a seminar course (ISC2931: Entering Research in the Biomedical and Behavioral Sciences), and by offering a lecture series at SF College in which active UF scientific investigators share their research with the SF College community at large.
This program is funded by an award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) to D. Julian with co-directors Vertigo Moody (Santa Fe College), Talline Martins (UF) and Yenisel Cruz-Almeida (UF).
Bioscience Scholars Program
The former Bioscience Scholars program provided a pathway to a five-year, combined B.S. and M.S. degree for low-income students pursuing careers in biotechnology or in other STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) disciplines. A key feature of the program was early entry into research. Bioscience Scholars were prepared and nurtured to begin mentored research in their sophomore year, and to continue that research through graduation with an honors BS, a thesis-based MS, and specific training in biotechnology applications.
The Bioscience Scholars Program was funded by an NSF S-STEM award to D. Julian, with co-PIs Colette St. Mary, Rebecca Kimball and Richard Snyder.
Science for Life Program
The former Science for Life Program was a program funded by HHMI to strengthen and transform undergraduate research and interdisciplinary laboratory education in the STEM disciplines at the University of Florida and our partnering institutions. This program is no longer accepting applications for new awards.