14 students from NIH-supported PVAMU-TAMU Program Present at National ABRCMS Meeting

The Genome Research Experiences to Attract Talented Undergraduates into the Genomic Field to Promote Diversity (GREAT) Program, funded by a $2 million grant from the National Human Genomics Research Institute, aims to train the next generation of scientists in the field of genomics. This collaborative initiative between Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) and Texas A&M University focuses on creating research and educational opportunities for underrepresented undergraduate students. The program includes a Course-based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE), co-taught by faculty from both institutions, that trains students in genomic and bioinformatic techniques to predict the function of unannotated genes. Additionally, summer research opportunities in TAMU genomics labs, alongside workshops and networking events, equip students with critical skills to pursue advanced degrees or careers in genomics.

In its inaugural year, the GREAT program supported 13 PVAMU students, who participated in summer research projects at Texas A&M. The mentors from Texas A&M University were Alex Keene, Charles Criscione, Dylan McCreedy, Heath Blackmon, James Cai, Larry Griffing, Lamba Sangare, Mahul Chakraborty, Matt Sachs, Rachel Moran, and Tapasree Sarkar.  Each student engaged in 3 months of intensive laboratory research, supplemented by a professional development program led by Asha Rao.  The program included guest speakers from within and outside of Texas A&M.

These students successfully advanced independent research projects and presented their findings at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) in Pittsburgh, PA a significant milestone in their academic journeys. Their achievements demonstrate the program’s effectiveness in fostering scientific inquiry. The program continues to support these students at PVAMU, where they are further developing their projects through mentorship and independent studies with TAMU faculty.

The GREAT program represents an innovative partnership between PVAMU, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), and TAMU, one of the nation’s largest Hispanic-serving institutions. Despite their close geographic proximity—just 40 miles apart—this collaboration is one of the first between the Biology departments at the two universities. The program not only strengthens genomics education at PVAMU but also builds bridges between the institutions, enhancing their collective capacity to create unique and critical experiences for students in the genomic sciences. By creating a pipeline of talented researchers, the GREAT program is positioned to support trainees pursing careers in genomics research.