Training the Future Biologists

The Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences at UC Irvine is recognized as one of the national leaders in the development of programs to increase the participation of underrepresented minorities in biomedical sciences. The Minority Science Programs (MSP) is an orchestrated effort by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the School to increase the number of US underrepresented groups in biomedical research careers.

Why Participate?

The UC Irvine Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences established the Outreach, Research Training and Minority Science Programs (MSP) in 2000 to increase the number and academic excellence of underrepresented (UR) groups being trained as the next generation of biomedical research scientists. With help from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), MSP supports programs that foster research training and the development of a strong and diverse biomedical research workforce. MSP uses a “pipeline” approach to identify promising undergraduate students early in their academic careers (freshman and sophomore students) to foster an interest in research to ultimately enter Ph.D. programs in the biomedical sciences.

Ph.D. ‘pipeline’ promotes diversity

MSP uses a “pipeline” approach to identify promising undergraduate students early in their academic careers (freshman and sophomore students) to foster an interest in research to ultimately enter Ph.D. programs in the biomedical sciences.

In the last ten years, through its undergraduate research training programs, MSP has supported over 300 undergraduate UR students. Ninety-nine percent of them have graduated with a bachelor’s degree from UCI. A large majority of students who completed the program have gone on to pursue a Ph.D. MSP students have co-authored of more than 600 peer-reviewed publications in top journals including Science, Nature, Nature Neuroscience, Stroke, among others. MSP students have given more than 650 scientific presentations at national meetings, and have received more than 350 awards.

Learn More about MSP

Dedicated to Excellence

MSP has established a campuswide, regional and national network of committed faculty and resource programs to facilitate the transition from high school through community college, baccalaureate and master’s degrees to Ph.D. careers in biomedical research.MSP also develops relationships withcommunity colleges and K-12 schools and other institutions of higher education, to prepare prospective students for the educational opportunities offered by the School. MSP include: