Targeted infusion project: bioinformatics and biotechnology certificate programs for stem workforce development

This $399,225 National Science Foundation (NSF) STEM Education (CFDA 47.076) Project Grant, awarded to Lane College on August 15, 2024, will support the development, implementation, and study of innovative models to improve the preparation and success of undergraduate students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in pursuing STEM graduate programs and careers.

The primary objectives of this project are to: 1) Create bioinformatics and biotechnology certification programs at Lane College, 2) Increase the participation of African American students and women in bioinformatics and computational biology, and 3) Enhance the presence of African American students and women in the biotechnology industry. The project will also explore the impact of undergraduate research experiences and new bioinformatics/biotechnology courses on student persistence in STEM degree programs and factors such as self-efficacy, family influences, and potential earnings. This award aims to better prepare students for careers in the competitive fields of bioinformatics and biotechnology, addressing the national shortage of skilled professionals in these areas.

Abstract

The historically black colleges and universities undergraduate program (hbcu-up) through targeted infusion projects supports the development, implementation, and study of evidence-based, innovative models and approaches for improving the preparation and success of hbcu undergraduate students so that they may pursue science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (stem) graduate programs and/or careers. The goal of this project is to support the implementation of bioinformatics and biotechnology certificate programs at lane college. The project aims to accomplish this goal through three primary objectives: 1) create bioinformatics and biotechnology certification programs; 2) increase participation of undergraduate african american students and women in the fields of bioinformatics and computational biology; and 3) enhance an active presence of african american students and women in the industrial sectors of biotechnology. The project will also explore the impact of student engagement in undergraduate research experiences and new courses that incorporate core concepts in bioinformatics and biotechnology on student persistence in stem degree programs and noncognitive factors including self-efficacy, influences by family, and potential earnings. This project will lead to the better preparation of students for careers in the competitive fields of bioinformatics and biotechnology and address the national shortage of skilled professionals in these fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.