picture of two students in lab PPE
MARC is part of the Educational Enrichment and Outreach Programs, which also includes initiatives like the Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program. BUSP students Tayler Smith and Leib Lipowsky are pictured here. David Slipher/UC Davis

MARC Program Receives $2.2 Million to Advance Underrepresented Students in Biomedical and Behavior Research Fields

A nearly $2.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health-National Institute of General Medical Sciences will help the UC Davis Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) program usher in a new era of leaders in the biomedical and behavior research fields.

“The NIH aims to enhance the participation of individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral and social sciences, such as individuals from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds,” said Connie Champagne, director of Educational Enrichment and Outreach Programs (EEOP) at UC Davis. MARC helps “develop a diverse pool of undergraduates who complete their baccalaureate degree, and transition into and complete biomedical, research-focused higher degree programs.”

Focused on upper division students, the two-year program provides underrepresented undergraduates with full-time research experiences during the summer and part-time research experiences during the academic year. Additionally, MARC students participate in a journal club, professional development seminars and science outreach efforts. They also present their research at local and national conferences, including the Undergraduate Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities Conference.

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