MBRS-RISE PROGRAM RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
POSITIONS for Pre-PhD STUDENTS
Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) – Research Initiative
for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) Program
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and
the National Institutes of Health
The RISE program is a student development program sponsored by the National Institutes of
Health for minority-serving institutions. The long-range goal of the Cal Poly Pomona RISE
program is to increase the number of underrepresented minority students who complete Ph.D.
degrees in biomedical and related disciplines. The RISE Program is comprised of 3 inter-related
programs, each serving a distinct population of Cal Poly Students.
RISE Invitational
RISE Intensive-Undergrad
RISE Intensive-Graduate
Sophomores, Juniors,
Seniors
6 weeks in Summer, plus
research activities during
following academic year
Juniors, Seniors
Master’s students
Students will engage in
skill-building activities that
will help them be successful
in their academic
coursework, begin to build
their laboratory experience,
and learn about biomedical
careers.
Program will lay the
foundation needed for a
student to be successful as a
biomedical researcher. Refine
academic skills, with a strong
emphasis on the development
of oral & written skills, and
understanding of scientific
literature, culminating in
acceptance into a biomedicalrelated PhD program
 Research projects
(summer: 40hr/wk for 6
wks; academic year:
10hr/week)
 Workshop activities
 Lectures/discussions in
areas of biomedical
research
 Laboratory experiments
with emphasis on
research techniques
 Weekly study groups
 Academic advising
 Research seminars
 Family inclusion
activities
First summer: 10 weeks of research at Cal Poly Pomona;
Second summer: 8-10 weeks of research at RO1 university
plus two academic years doing research
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Concentrated effort on novel
research experience in a
productive biomedical
research laboratory, with a
strong emphasis on the
development of oral & written
skills, and understanding of
scientific literature,
culminating in a MS degree
and acceptance into a
biomedical-related PhD
program.
Research projects (summer: 40hr/wk for undergraduates
and graduates; academic year: 16hr/week for
undergraduates, 16hr/week for graduates)
GRE preparation workshops
Poster & oral presentation workshops
Journal clubs
Grant and manuscript writing training
Completion of PhD program applications
Research seminars
Students will work on an independent research project,
developing the laboratory skills, background knowledge,
discipline, and persistence needed to obtain meaningful
results that can be presented at a scientific meeting as
either a poster or oral presentation, or possibly a scientific
publication
Family inclusion activities
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CAL POLY MBRS-RISE PROGRAM RESEARCH
FELLOWSHIP POSITIONS for Pre-PhD STUDENTS in
the BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
RISE Program Eligibility and Application Requirements
Full-time minority student (African American, Hispanic, Native Indian, US Pacific Islander) who
is a U.S citizen or has a permanent Visa, considering or seeking to pursue a PhD degree in the
biomedical or related sciences, with a Science GPA of 3.0 in the last 80-90 units or better are
invited to apply to one of the three RISE subprograms. Applicants should send the completed
application form, their personal essay, a copy of their complete official or unofficial transcript
(pdf format), along with two letters of recommendation electronically to Dr. Jill Adler-Moore,
Dept of Biological Sciences (jpadler@cpp.edu) and to Ancy George (georgeancy@hotmail.com).
A brief description of each subprogram can be found in the information given above.
Please indicate the program you are applying for.
RISE Invitation
(sophomore, junior or senior)
Deadline: May22,2015
 RISE IntensiveUndergraduate
(juniors, seniors)
Deadline: May22, 2015
RISE Intensive-Graduate
(Master’s Students)
Deadline: May22, 2015
Note: Students on a pre-medical track (MD) are not eligible for this program, as indicated by the
National Institutes of Health.
Applicant Information
Name:
Bronco ID:
Address:
City:
Telephone:
Email:
State:
Zip Code:
 U.S. Citizen
Permanent Resident
citizenship ______________________
Gender:  Female
International Student; Country of
Male
Are you a member of any of the following groups underrepresented in the biomedical
sciences?
African American
American Indian/Native American/Alaskan Native
Hispanic/ Latino
U.S Pacific Islander
None
Are you a first generation college student in your family?
Yes
No
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RISE Invitation Program and RISE Intensive-Undergraduate Program Applicants only
Major:
Minor:
Current Overall grade point average:
Your current class standing:
Freshman
Number of units completed:
Cal Poly student exclusively
Science GPA(last 80-90 units:___
Sophomore
Junior  Senior
Transfer student to Cal Poly from:
Have you taken any Professional School Entrance Exams (MCAT, DAT, GRE, etc.)?
Yes  No – If so, which one and when:
RISE Intensive-Graduate Program Applicants only
Current College/University where enrolled or from which you earned your Bachelor’s degree:
Institution Address:
Date of Master’s degree graduation or expected date of graduation:
Overall GPA:
Degrees:
AA
BA
BS
Major:
Minor:
Have you taken the GRE?
GRE Verbal score:
GRE Writing score:
MS
Yes
No - If yes, when?
GRE Quantitative score:
Have you already applied to the Graduate Program at Cal Poly Pomona?
If yes, do you have a sponsor/mentor?
Yes
No
Have you taken any Professional School Entrance Exams (MCAT, DAT, GRE, etc.)?
Yes
No – If so, which one and when:
Achievements and Activities (for RISE Invitation, RISE Undergraduate Intensive and RISE
Graduate Intensive)
1)Please list academic achievements, honors, and awards (Please number items)
2)Please list activities, clubs, organizations and leadership (Please number items):
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3)Academic and Career Information for RISE Invitation, RISE Undergraduate Intensive
and RISE Graduate Intensive)
The MBRS-RISE program’s purpose is to facilitate the advancement of underrepresented
students seeking to obtain a PhD in biomedical or related sciences. The selection committee
seeks a description of your career plans, your goals for advanced degrees and research, and
the appropriateness of this program to help you achieve your objectives. Attach typed written
page using single-spaced, 12-point font. Do not exceed 1 page.
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2.
3.
4.
Describe to the program selection committee what your long-term career goal is and what
educational plans you have to pursue this career?
Have you had any research experience in the past? If so, please provide a brief
description.
Why do you want to participate in the MBRS-RISE program(s) and how will your
participation increase the representation of underrepresented individuals in biomedical
research?
Please discuss any other relevant information that you feel the selection committee should
take into consideration when assessing your application, including disadvantages or
hardships that you have overcome, professional achievements worthy of mention, etc.
4)Letters of Recommendation
Please have two letters of recommendation sent by email to the Program Director, listed below.
Letters should be from a science faculty member, investigator or employer who is qualified to
comment on your attributes and can comment on your potential for success in the MBRS-RISE
program.
Checking the boxes below, typing your name and the date will be considered your digital
signature.
 I hereby certify and declare that all of the above information is true.
 If selected, I will participate in all associated MBRS-RISE activities, including but not limited
to workshops, meetings, journal clubs, laboratory research, professional development
activities, and evaluation activities designed to assess program effectiveness and my own
educational progress.
 I recognize that I have waived access to the letters of recommendation in my file.
 I recognize that the MBRS-RISE program will track my progress following completion of the
program to investigate the impact of these programs on my subsequent academic and
career development.
_________________________________
Signature
________________________
Date
Application Checklist - Incomplete applications will not be considered
-Application form
-Academic and Career Information Statements
-All College Level Transcripts (unofficial is acceptable)
-Two letters of recommendation (sent directly by email to Program Director)
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Return Completed Electronic Application Packet To:
Dr. Jill Adler-Moore, MBRS-RISE Program Director
Department of Biological Sciences
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
jpadler@cpp.edu
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