Pembroke.
Enhancement) was notified this summer by the National Institute
of Health (NIH) that its grant was renewed for five years for $1.4
million.
The program, which prepares undergraduates for advanced
study in science, pairs outstanding students with UNCP scientists
for directed research. A summer internship component sends
RISE Fellows to study at major research universities across the
U.S.
The program was first funded in 2006. For 2010-11, it
accepted 16 fellows. The grant is very competitive and results-
driven, said Dr. Robert Poage and Sailaja Vallabha, RISE co-
directors.
"Of the nine RISE Fellows who graduated in 2010, four are in
graduate school and two in post-baccalaureate programs," said
Dr. Poage, who is a neurobiologist. "Doing this kind of research
helps students gain admission to graduate programs, and it is
essential for success in graduate school."
"One of our primary goals," Vallabha said, "is to build
confidence in the students so that they can meet the challenges
of the rigorous graduate admission programs."
"Our team is pleased to
see that their hard work was
validated," Dr. Poage said. "I
am pleased for the university,
our science programs, the
faculty who set a high bar for
our students and especially for
our students for meeting those
challenges and excelling."
Chancellor Carter was pleased, too. The teacher-scholar model
of interaction with students that RISE exemplifies is important to
UNCP's future, he said.
"Faculty research is laudable, and student success is
paramount to our mission," Dr. Carter said. "When that scholarly
activity involves our students, it builds student success and
exemplifies the educational ideal of a teaching university.
"I congratulate the RISE team for their success," he said. "Our
students are the ultimate winners. This good news is energizing
for all of us."
Dr. Ken Kitts, provost and vice chancellor for Academic
Affairs, said UNCP is a perfect partner for the RISE mission.
"The renewal of this grant is due to the strong leadership of Dr.
Poage and Vallabha, high quality science programs and faculty
who understand the importance of student research," he said.
"UNCP's strengths make us an ideal partner for the RISE mission
to promote a diverse community of research scientists for the
future."
The RISE team consists of co-directors, Dr. Poage of the
Department of Biology and Vallabha, a faculty member in the
Department of Chemistry and Physics, as well as the program's
coordinator Jakyrra S. Tyson and administrative assistant Sonda
year.
Two of last year's RISE Fellows were accepted to medical
school, which Dr. Poage said is wonderful, but not helpful
on the application. "I am very happy for them, but our role
is to build research careers," he said. "One of our graduates,
Rhonda McClure, was accepted to a joint M.D.-Ph.D. medical
research program at the University of Massachusetts. That was
outstanding."
RISE Fellows are paid an hourly stipend for up to 20 hours a
week during the spring and fall semesters and up to 40 hours
during the summer. This summer five students are conducting
research at UNCP, two at UNC-Chapel Hill and one at the
University of California at San Diego.
One of the most critical aspects of the program is matching
faculty willing to supervise
them. "We hope to streamline
this process in the future by
working with the Pembroke
Undergraduate Research
Center (PURC) to build a
single clearinghouse for one-
stop shopping," he said.
academic year and summer, although they receive a stipend only
during the summer. For the RISE program to succeed, the support
of the university and faculty is essential, Vallabha said.
"Without the support of our faculty, it would be impossible to
place RISE Fellows," she said. "We have many people to thank--
from the chancellor and provost to many faculty members who
worked with RISE Fellows."
The program's growing alumni base is another asset, Dr. Poage
said. "We are building an alumni base so new RISE Fellows have
a better idea what their future will look like. We have an alumni
page on our website for students to view," he said.
Student support from RISE comes in several ways:
chemistry, physics or a related field with plans to pursue a
graduate degree.