THE ARIZONA BIOLOGY NETWORK PROGRAM an NIHfunded researchexploration program for minority college st

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THE ARIZONA BIOLOGY NETWORK PROGRAMan NIH-funded
research-exploration program for minority college
students

• Program Director Ann Christensen, Ph.D.
• Program Coordinator Matthew Medeiros
• Pima Community College
• Tucson, AZ 85709-0270

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OBJECTIVES

• provide a paid summer research experience to
  minority college students in a biomedical or
  behavioral laboratory
• improve and develop communication and writing
  skills necessary in the sciences
• interface students with University faculty and
  other undergraduate research programs
• allow students to attend national conferences to
  present their summer research and network with
  other students

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ESTABLISHEMENT

• established in 1992 by the NIGMS to address low
  percentage of minorities (Native American,
  African American, and Hispanics) receiving
  doctorates in the biomedical sciences
• evidence supports that undergraduates who conduct
  research projects are more likely to pursue and
  complete graduate studies

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KEYS TO SUCCESS IN SCIENCE

• academic preparedness
• undergraduate research experience
• financial support
• family and peer support
• mentoring and counseling

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SUMMER 2005
Above Marco Rosales prepares samples on a
microtome in the Dept. of Pathology. Marco was
searching for characteristic proteins in cancer
cells. Left Jenet Soto proudly displays
products of weeks of organic synthesis. Jenet
worked the Dept. of Chemistry studying synthetic
cell receptor ligands.
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SUMMER 2005
Right Bonita Offak conducts field work for a
project involving genetic analysis of
corn. Above Tara Salehpour and Bronwen Steele
review the result on a bio-assay of a vaccine for
poultry.
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ACHIEVEMENTS

• the ABN has collaborated with the major science
  departments at the University increasing options
  for student involvement and interests
• the ABN has accepted students from most of the
  community colleges around Arizona as well as
  faculty
• a majority of completers of the program have gone
  to national conferences to present their work
  conferences include ABRCMS and SACNAS
• between 1992 and 2002 about 63 of student
  participants have transferred successfully to a
  4-year institutions and about 59 of those
  transferred have graduated with a bachelors
  degree
• students completing this program are prepared to
  enter one or more undergraduate programs offered
  through the University of Arizona includes MARC
  and UBRP