IRACDA at Texas A&M University

PROJECT SUMMARY IRACDA@TAMU is a partnership between Texas A&M University (TAMU), a historically white R1 university that has recently achieved the status of a Hispanic-Serving Institution, and Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), an HBCU that has recently achieved the status of an R2 university. By adopting community-based mentoring

models that emerged from Hispanic and Black communities, TAMU and PVAMU faculty from groups underrepresented in the biomedical workforce developed the Research-Intensive Community model as an alternative to the traditional 1-on-1 mentoring model. Leveraging the sustainability of multilevel mentoring and

the productivity of diverse undergraduate research teams, this model fully integrates research, education, and leadership to train participants, produce research, and transform institutions. We will pursue four objectives to form a unique postdoctoral training program: 1) Prepare Scholars to initiate a research program and develop

technical and operational skills by working with faculty research mentors. In Year 1, Scholars, guided by both research and instruction mentors, observe PVAMU classes and work in TAMU labs to lay the foundation for an adaptable research program that can be deployed in both research- and teaching-intensive institutions. 2)

Prepare Scholars to sustain a research program that integrates high-impact teaching practices into the lab by leading undergraduate research teams. In Year 2, Scholars join the IRACDA Research Leadership Program and learn to amplify their research productivity by effectively leading diverse undergraduate research teams. 3)

Prepare Scholars to sustain a teaching program that integrates research projects into the classroom by teaching inclusive course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs). In Year 3, Scholars continue in the IRACDA Research Leadership Program and learn to establish CUREs at PVAMU that sustains their research

and expands research capacity of their instruction mentors. 4) Prepare Scholars to establish and direct research education programs that cultivate inclusive, safe, and supportive research-intensive communities. In Year 4, Scholars join the IRACDA Directors Program and learn to direct scalable research leadership programs

that bridge institutions. By the end of the grant period, 12 IRACDA Scholars will have gained the technical, operational, and professional skills to become independent academics that develop sustainable research platforms at either research- or teaching-intensive institutions. They will have become highly sought-after change

agents that create inclusive research education programs and equitable research-intensive communities bridging research-intensive universities and HBCUs. PVAMU will have increased research capacity by establishing the multilevel Panther Research Program and the first undergraduate Biomedical Research

Certificate at an HBCU. The IRACDA@HBCUs Coalition will support program alumni and Scholars in other IRACDA programs as this adaptable, diverse, sustainable, and scalable model is propagated to other HBCUs and their R1 partners.