June 21, 2007

IU School of Medicine Awarded Grant to Expand Pre-College Science Education Efforts

INDIANAPOLIS — A $662,000 five-year grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute will allow the Indiana University School of Medicine to encourage underrepresented minority students to pursue careers in science.

The program designed for high-school-aged students will strengthen the educational partnership already established between the IU School of Medicine and the Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet High School in Indianapolis.

To stimulate interest in science education and careers in the biomedical fields, a tutorial program for mathematics and science will be created and staffed by IU School of Medicine students; a mentoring program will encourage career exploration; a teacher research program will help improve student learning of the scientific inquiry process; and a capstone student summer research program will be established for select students to introduce hands-on, cutting edge science and research.

"There is an immediate national and local need for diversity in the life sciences careers. Higher education institutions, including medical schools, have implemented different interventions to meet this need. I believe we have in this new pipeline program a unique and sustainable opportunity to provide a series of enriching academic experiences that encourage and assist students from Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet High School to enter biomedical science careers," said William Agbor-Baiyee, Ph.D., M.P.A., director of the Master in Science in Medical Science Program and assistant professor in the department of family medicine.

The IU School of Medicine is one of thirty-one institutions out of 127 applicants selected to receive financial support for its unique program, which will be directed by Dr. Agbor-Baiyee.

A non-profit medical research organization, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute was established in 1953 and has become one of the largest philanthropies in the world. The Pre-College Science Education Initiative for Biomedical Research Institutions aims to encourage research institutions to use their unique resources to stimulate interest in science. The grants build upon the Institute’s continuing programs in science education.

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Media Contact:

Pat Garrison
Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups
(973) 313-0554
pgarrison@garrisonink.com