Program Components and Requirements

1. Receive hourly wages for approximately 15 hours per week of research for nine months with their respective faculty preceptors. Travel money for attendance at scientific meetings is also provided to each Scholar.

2. There is a regular early evening meeting/seminar run by the Program Director during the academic year. Activities include discussions and presentations about various aspects of research and other issues of relevance to the Scholars. Another important part of the meetings are the selection of guest lecturers for the IMSD seminar program. The Scholars identify internationally-recognized, leading researchers to give lectures at LSU. Three speakers are invited per academic year.

3. Each IMSD Scholar works on a research project in a biomedical area under the guidance of an LSU faculty member. The Scholars are responsible for selecting a research advisor who can furnish them a project in an area of interest to the NIH.

1. Perform 15 hours per week of biomedical research for 9 (academic) months per year, as monitored by time sheets and brief semester research progress reports, approved and signed by the research advisor.

2. Present at least one lecture or poster at a major regional or national scientific meeting and attendance at a second meeting within the two years of the Program.

3. Co-author at least one peer-reviewed publication.

4. Attend and participate at all IMSD meetings, seminars and relevant events.

5. Participate in the selection and hosting of three nationally renowned scientists per year who specialize in areas of interest to the students and the Program.

6. Comply with all testing, tracking and evaluation activities of the Program, including providing information on career and graduate school plans. This includes updating information before and after graduation. This information is used solely to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the Program to maintain funding. Personal information collected remains strictly confidential.

7. Maintain good academic standing and exhibit timely progress towards the degree.