FIU’s MARC U*STAR program specifically targets those rising juniors (especially scholars in the QBIC program) who have indicated an interest in Biomedical or Behavioral Sciences research and a choice and preference in pursuing a PhD. Eligibility Requirements U.S. citizen or permanent resident

• Maintain a GPA of 3.3 or better
• Be enrolled full-time at FIU
• Have a strong preference in pursuing a Ph.D.

  To meet its goal of encouraging under represented minorities (URM) to continue on to successful biomedical or behavioral science research careers, FIU’s MARC USTAR program provides a focused initiative that motivates promising students to choose a biomedical or behavioral science career.  This goal is important because many students do not know what biomedical research really is or how exciting and rewarding it can be.  By spending the first two academic years in FIU’s Q`BIC program and gaining an integrative and quantitative science foundation, by participating in the planned simulation and modeling workshop, and by being a MARC USTAR Fellow working in an active research lab, participants will be in environments and exposed to information that will help demystify biomedical and behavioral science research.  The final critical issue is to insure that the motivated student with potential is given the necessary tools and skills to be competitive and the opportunity to succeed.  The academic and research components of FIU’s MARC USTAR program provide these tools and skills. The MARC USTAR Program at FIU will help excellent URM continue on to successful careers in biomedical or behavioral sciences research.

Impact of FIU’s MARC USTAR Program on Preparedness and Research Training in the Sciences 

The FIU MARC USTAR Program provides involvement in activities that contributes to developing a culture of inquiry and to exploring ideas in science and technology; provides access to personal mentoring and increased exposure to good biomedical science and the thrill of research.  In essence, FIU’s MARC USTAR Program presents the promising URM with a career option in biomedical research that they may never have otherwise considered.  In addition, these students are provided with the skills and guidance that allow them to be successful in biomedical research.

By being in active research labs, and by being in the Q`BIC program, MARC USTAR fellows will have access to a source of information and assistance from faculty, graduate students and undergraduate students who they work with. Training sessions and research experience will reinforce class work and in turn contribute to better academic standings.  A culture of science and a community of support can be expected to develop among MARC USTAR fellows, their peers, and mentors, creating long-term support and collaboration networks.  All of these factors make the FIU MARC USTAR fellow an outstanding candidate for acceptance into any top graduate program.