IMSD @ Rutgers New Brunswick
The mission of the IMSD program at Rutgers-New Brunswick (IMSD – RU Program) is to broaden participation in the biomedical sciences by promoting the academic, research, and professional success of Ph.D. students from a variety of backgrounds. The IMSD - RU program provides a supportive environment that enables students to excel, offering mentorship to help them navigate the challenges of graduate school. In addition, the IMSD – RU Program presents workshops to supplement the training offered by our partner PhD program on topics such as fellowship writing, science communication, and program management. We also partner with other Rutgers student development programs, such as the Rutgers iJOBS program, to provides professional development and career readiness training.
Graduate students can also apply to the IMSD – RU program for stipend, tuition, and other financial support. Eligible individuals must be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e. possess a currently valid Permanent Resident Card USCIS Form I-551, or other legal verification of such status).
Eligible PhD applicants may apply for financial support by contacting the graduate program director of IMSD - RU partner graduate programs: Biochemistry; Cell and Developmental Biology; Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology; Microbiology and Molecular Genetics; Physiology and Integrative Biology; Biomedical Engineering; Neuroscience; Microbial Biology; Nutritional Sciences; Plant Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences, and Toxicology.
The IMSD @ Rutgers-New Brunswick program is funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) of the National Institute of Health (NIH) Grant # T32GM139804.
Special congratulations to our fellows Gregory Marshall, second place winner for oral presentation, and Leela Biswas, second place winner for her poster. Our fellow, Nathalie Groot, MBGSO board member and program organizer is first on the right. Well done everyone.
2024 IMSD Winter Social Jubilee
IMSD @ Rutgers New Brunswick Welcomes the 2024 Class of IMSD Fellows and Associates
Congratulations to Khea Wolff on defending her PhD thesis
Congratulations to Sandra Tetteh on defending her PhD thesis
Sandra's PhD Thesis title is: " Regulation of TRPM7 by CNNM2 and Interacting Partners". Dissertation Advisor: Dr. Loren Runnels
Congratulations to Stephania Guzman on defending her PhD thesis
Stephania's PhD Thesis title is: "Targeting Hepatic Kisspeptin Receptor Ameliorates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease". Thesis Advisor: Dr. Moshmi Bhattacharya.
Financial Support & Eligibility
The IMSD @ Rutgers-New Brunswick offers five fellowships per year to eligible outstanding candidates who have the potential to contribute and have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the nation. These competitive fellowships cover two years of financial support.
Mentoring
Since 1996, our program has supported the training of more than 100 Ph.D. students from underrepresented groups. Our alumni have gone on to successful careers in academia and in a variety of biomedical disciplines, including the pharmaceutical industry, science & health policy, intellectual property, clinical trials, and regulatory affairs, science writing and communication, and many more.Key to this success has been the sustained and dedicated personal mentorship offered by the IMSD @ Rutgers–New Brunswick program directors, Dr. Loren Runnels, Dr. Tracy Scott, and Dr. Jim Millonig, and the support they offer students through the critical milestones of their academic training and beyond.
Meet Our IMSD Directors
Scientific Training
This is an exciting time to embark on graduate studies in the biomedical- and life sciences. IMSD @ Rutgers–New Brunswick partners with 14 Rutgers graduate programs that offer cutting-edge training in a wide range of fields, interdisciplinary topics, and feature faculty who are committed to mentoring.
Our partner graduate programs are Biochemistry; Cell and Developmental Biology; Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology; Microbiology and Molecular Genetics; Physiology and Integrative Biology; Biomedical Engineering; Neuroscience; Microbial Biology; Nutritional Sciences; Plant Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Endocrinology and Animal Biosciences, and Toxicology.
Professional Development
The IMSD @ Rutgers-New Brunswick program, the Rutgers iJOBS Program and the numerous Academic Enrichment Activities available to Rutgers predoctoral trainees are all designed to promote your success in grad school and prepare you for a competitive position post-graduation. As an IMSD @ Rutgers-New Brunswick fellow, you will be expected to participate in several of these activities throughout your Ph.D. training.
The Maximizing Student Development (MSD) Course is offered by IMSD @ Rutgers-New Brunswick program directors (Course Number 16:718:582). This is a 1-credit Pass/Fail course that meets six times each semester. Our fellows are required to take the course for four years. Click to see the course description.
Graduating with a Ph.D. is the entry point to an exciting career in biomedical sciences. But, what if you do not know which career you want to pursue? The iJOBS Program was designed to expose biomedical pre-and post-doctoral trainees to a variety of non-academic career options and empower them to pursue their career goals.
As a trainee in a biomedical discipline, you will complete Responsible Conduct of Research Training and Rigor and Reproducibility Training in year one. In year two, IMSD fellows are encouraged (and funded) to attend a regional or national scientific conference. In years two or three, IMSD fellows complete a writing and/or grant writing course or workshop. In year three, IMSD fellows, under the direction of their research mentors, apply for a fellowship. In years three through four, IMSD fellows participate in the career exploration/preparation program offered through the Rutgers iJOBS Program. After year five, IMSD fellows continue to meet with IMSD program directors and participate in the annual research symposium.
View all of our Academic Enrichment
Community
As an underrepresented minority in the sciences, it can be challenging to find a community of students and faculty that are committed to supporting your academic and career success. We bring our trainees together to celebrate each other's successes and to be there for each other when challenges arise. Throughout the year we hold community IMSD events to build and sustain our community.