Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program

The term "postbaccalaureate" describes programs that begin after you've completed an undergraduate degree and are designed specifically to support the transition to a professional school.  The Center's postbaccalaureate research training program provides an intensive and positive research experience for underrepresented recent college graduates intending future entry into PhD programs in the biomedical sciences.  The 1-year program provides scholars with research experience with one of our highly productive mentors, and the opportunity to develop technical and critical thinking skills.  Center postbaccalaureate scholars then have the preparation and confidence to successfully compete for admission into a biomedical PhD program.

Postbaccalaurete Program Components

EXPOSE - Undergraduate students to high-quality biomedical research

ELEVATE - Oral and written communications skills

ENGAGE - The wider VCU community in biomedical research and professional training

Current Postbaccalaureate Research Training Opportunities

The VCU Postbaccalaureate Research Program (VCU PREP) has been in effect since 2010 to prepare underrepresented students for highly competitive doctoral programs in biomedical sciences.  Almost 90% of former VCU PREP trainees have furthered their education by continuing on to graduate school.  Many have chosen to join VCU PhD programs, and others have gone on to programs at Cornell, University of North Carolina, University of New Mexico, University of California, Los Angeles, and University of Illinois at Chicago to name a few.  You can learn more about the VCU PREP Program here.

Contact:

Rita Shiang, PhD: Director, VCU PREP

Rebecca Martin, PhD: Co-Director, VCU PREP

Kimberly Jefferson, PhD: Scientific Director