Achievement

To enhance the pipeline for scientists from underrepresented groups, we have developed the MCTP Bridge Program which brings talented students to UCLA for 6 weeks of research prior to their starting graduate school. The internships are available to students who have accepted admission to a Ph.D. program at UCLA and are interested in working with one of the MCTP training faculty. The idea is to 1. Encourage these students to come to UCLA, 2. To get them excited about the MCTP IGERT program by giving them an opportunity to work with MCTP faculty and 3. To give these students an excellent start in their graduate career. By teaming up with the AGEP program at UCLA, the students are offered weekly workshops covering tips on research, using the resources of the UCLA libraries, careers, ethics and other important topics. Our inaugural MCTP Bridge Program class consisted of 4 students during the summer of 2009 of which 1 came from an underrepresented group.