NIGMS-RISE Program

The Graduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (G-RISE) is a student development program granted by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. Its goal is to develop a diverse pool of students earning a PhD and provide them with the necessary skills to successfully transition into careers in the biomedical research workforce. The RISE program at Ponce Health Sciences University was funded by R25GM082406 from 2008 until 2022, when it converted to G-RISE (supported by T32GM144896). It provides the organizational structure and extensive mentoring necessary to ensure trainees have a sense of belonging and scientific identity while empowering them to prepare for and overcome obstacles in their scientific careers.

The G-RISE Program at Ponce Health Science University has specific measurable objectives that aim to provide trainees with:
1. Professional, operational, and technical research skills training
2. Communication skills training
3. Team building/networking opportunities

Applying

RISE eligibility criteria:

  • US citizens or permanent residents
  • Enrolled full-time in the PHSU Biomedical Sciences PhD program.

Application deadline to Ph.D. program is April 15. Application forms are available in the PHSU admissions office or online.

Students accepted to the Ph.D. program will be considered for appointment in the RISE program. RISE admission decisions will be made after students have been officially accepted into the PhD program.

Criteria for incoming PhD students:
Undergraduate GPA and coursework, research experience, post-bachelor’s coursework, presentations/publications, interview, and writing sample.

Criteria for current students in the PhD program:
Graduate GPA, progress towards PhD (presentations/publications, fellowship applications, research proposal), and letters of recommendation.

Benefits

To improve their performance, participation and success in the Ph.D./RISE Program, selected trainees receive the following benefits:

Financial support

Stipend of $27,144.00 per year, paid tuition, and annual funds for lab supplies.

Networking opportunities

  • Paid travel to attend one domestic, scientific conference per year.
  • Participation in: biomedical seminars, lunch with the speaker, regional scientific conferences.

Mentoring

A structured mentoring team comprised of a faculty advisor, a research mentor and a student peer mentor to provide advice, support and guidance as needed.

 Professional development 

  • Continuous and enhanced “hands-on” professional and research training in multiple topics related to career development and technical skills.
  • Advanced instruction in communication and writing
  • Participation in annual Philosophy of Science retreat and other developmental workshops.
Trainee Requirements
Student Trainees
Former Student Trainees
Mentors
Internal Committee Members
Advisory Board External Members
RISE Teaching Lab
RISE Alumni

Trainee Requirements

The following criteria are intended to serve as guiding principles to assist trainees and research mentors to support the goals of the NIGMS-RISE Program at PHSU in developing outstanding students with the knowledge and skills to successfully complete a Ph.D. degree and advance to competitive postdoctoral positions and meaningful career opportunities. Trainees are evaluated each semester by the Internal Advisory Committee. Annual reappointments are contingent upon trainee’s successful compliance with the following requirements and criteria as well as their research progress and ability to meet the long-term goals of the NIGMS-RISE Program. Additionally, reappointments will depend on the number of spots available and the quality and quantity of available candidates. The RISE Program will typically support students accepted into the program for a maximum of 3 years and will rarely support students beyond their 4th year of the Ph.D. program (unless there are no other candidates that better meet RISE requirements and criteria at the time).

Program Criteria
Year in PhD Program By End of Fall Semester By End of Spring Semester Summer
First Year
  • Attend a National Conference
    • Pass all core courses
    • Satisfactorily complete research rotations
    • Enroll and pass elective Practical Approach to Molecular Biology (BSG 774)
    • Give data blitz presentation
    • Pass all core courses
    • Satisfactorily complete research rotations
    • Present at PHSU Scientific Conference (or data blitz)
    • Research
    • Select lab/mentor
    • Take Histology
    Second Year
  • Attend a National Conference
    • Pass all core courses
    • Collect data
    • Enroll and pass elective English for Scientific Writing (BSG 773)
    • Give data blitz presentation
    • Pass all core courses
    • Present at PHSU Scientific Conference (or data blitz)
    • Collect data
    • Pass qualifying exam
    • Research
    Third Year
  • Attend and present at a National Conference
    • Collect data
    • Defend thesis proposal
    • Give data blitz presentation
    • Submit fellowship application
    • Submit manuscript for publication
    • Thesis research
    • Present at PHSU Scientific Conference
    • Thesis Research
    • Revise fellowship as necessary
    Fourth Year
  • Attend and present at a National Conference
    • Thesis research
    • Participate in PostDoc workshop series
    • Complete electives
    • Revise manuscript for publication
    • Give data blitz presentation
    • Thesis research
    • Present at PHSU Scientific Conference
    • ThesisResearch
    Fifth Year
  • Attend and present at a National Conference
    • Thesis research
    • Plan writing of thesis
    • Write thesis
    • Defend thesis
    • Present at PHSU scientific conference

    Program Requirements

    • Comply with the aforementioned program criteria (milestones).
    • Active, full-time (defined by NIH as 40 hours/week) participation and commitment to the program, your studies and research. RISE, as with other fellowships, provides a full-time salary so you can devote time and effort to academics and research (i.e. classes and laboratory research).
    • Mandatory attendance to all RISE-programmed activities. Absences will require prior notification in writing and documented evidence, as applicable (i.e. doctor’s note, travel itinerary, etc.).
      • Two or more absences may constitute grounds for probation.
    • Meet with mentors (RISE advisor and peer) a minimum of 2x per semester. Meeting must be initiated by trainee, documented on form and submitted to coordinator.
    • Submit/update a portfolio each semester (end December, early June). Review with research mentor annually (early June).
    • Conduct a RISE journal club once a year.
    • Summarize a RISE activity (seminar, professional development session, meeting, etc.) for the newsletter.
    • Submit Individual Development Plan (IDP) and review/revise annually with research mentor.*


    Trainee Expectations

    • To plan annual travel to national conferences at least two months in advance.
      • Travel must be approved by/discussed with research mentor beforehand.
      • The RISE program will not reimburse travel expenses beyond the allotted amount per year per trip without prior approval. Any use of a personal credit card requires prior written authorization.
      • Travel allowances are non-transferable.
      • If requesting travel for external training/research experiences:
        • Must submit written request to Program Coordinator including rationale and course information (as advanced to pertinent deadlines as possible).
        • Research mentor must also submit written justification or recommendation of request.
        • Request must be evaluated and approved by the Internal Advisory Committee before travel is arranged.
      • To coordinate purchase of lab supplies at least one month in advance.
        • Lab supply funds must be used each semester (allotted amount) or risk losing funds.
        • Their use should be approved by/discussed with research mentor.
      • To respond to program requests in a timely manner (including surveys, evaluations, emails, etc.).
      • To adhere to institutional policies and procedures as outlined in the PHSU student manual.
      • To communicate and/or meet with the Program Director, Associate Director and/or Program Coordinator as often as needed for guidance and input before problems occur.
      • To be available for and respond to follow-up/student tracking so we may adequately assess program outcomes and effectiveness in the short and long term.

    Student Trainees

    2024-2025

    Paola Flores
    Yadiel Rivera
    Luinet Meléndez
    Joel Orengo
    Dorca Marcano
    Gretchen Albarrán
    Lourdes M. Caro
    James Torres
    Vivianka Ramos
    Ana Vargas
    Axel Ufarry
    Adrián Márquez

    2023-2024

    Sheila Valle
    Nashaly Irizarry
    Yobet Pérez
    Yadiel Rivera
    Paola Flores
    Luinet Meléndez
    Joel Orengo
    Dorca Marcano
    Stephanie Hernández
    Gretchen Albarrán
    Lourdes M. Caro
    James Torres

    2022-2023

    Jonathan Lopez
    Yesenia Rivera
    Sheila Valle
    Nelly Arroyo
    Nashaly Irizarry
    Joshua Pérez
    Yobet Pérez
    Yadiel Rivera
    Elvin Hernandez
    Paola Flores
    Luinet Meléndez
    Joel Orengo

    2021-2022

    Jessalyn Pla
    Alexandra Aquino
    Elliott Rodriguez
    Luis Rivera
    Jonathan Lopez
    Yesenia Rivera
    Sheila Valle
    Nelly Arroyo
    Joshua Pérez
    Yobet Pérez
    Yadiel Rivera
    Elvin Hernandez

    2020-2021

    Orlando Torres
    Roberto Morales
    Jessalyn Pla
    Alexandra Aquino
    Elliott Rodriguez
    Luis Rivera
    Jonathan Lopez
    Yesenia Rivera
    Sheila Valle
    Nelly Arroyo
    Joshua Pérez
    Yobet Pérez

    2019-2020

    John Alvarado
    Jetsimary García
    Shirley Jusino
    Roberto Morales
    Miguel Oyola
    Ronald Rodríguez
    Lubriel Sambolín
    Orlando Torres
    Jessalyn Pla
    Alexandra Aquino
    Elliot Rodriguez
    Jocelyn Rivera

    Former Student Trainees

    • Roberto Morales
    • Alexandra Aquino
    • Elliott Rodríguez
    • Jessalyn Pla
    • Sheila Valle
    • Yesenia Rivera
    • Jonathan López
    • Nashaly Irizarry
    • Yobet Pérez
    • Lubriel Sambolin
    • Luis Rivera

    Mentors

    To assist our RISE students to excel and progress efficiently through their coursework and degree requirements while publishing their research findings and enhancing their professional skills, we will assign each student a mentoring team consisting of student, faculty, and research mentors. 

    RISE faculty and research mentors

    • Caroline Appleyard, Ph.D.
    • Guillermo Armaiz, Ph.D.
    • Julie Dutil, Ph.D.
    • Idhaliz Flores, Ph.D.
    • Jaime Matta, Ph.D.
    • Richard Noel, Ph.D.
    • James Porter, Ph.D.
    • Vanessa Rivera-Amil, Ph.D.
    • Harold Saavedra, Ph.D.
    • Pedro Santiago, Ph.D.
    • Marian Sepulveda, Ph.D.

    Student Mentors

    • Carmen Ortiz
    • Siomara Hernández
    • Marangelie Criado
    • Neysha Martínez
    • Mariano Colón
    • Raymond Isidro
    • Omar Soler
    • Jaileene Perez
    • Angel Nuñez
    • Héctor Diaz
    • Jocelyn Rivera
    • Inevy Seguinot
    • Ronald Rodríguez
    • John Alvarado
    • Orlando Torres
    • Claudia Colón
    • Lubriel Sambolin
    • Shirley Jusino
    • Roberto Morales
    • Miguel Oyola
    • Alexandra Aquino
    • Jessalyn Pla
    • Elliott Rodríguez
    • Sheila Valle
    • Yesenia Rivera-Escobales
    • Luis Rivera
    • Nashaly Irizarry
    • Yobet Pérez

    Mentoring resources

    • NSF – Advisor, Teacher, Role Model, Friend: On Being a Mentor to Students in Science and Engineering • NEA – Minority Mentoring

    Internal Committee Members

    Image of the Internal Committee of Animal House
    • Caroline Appleyard, Ph.D. Program Director
    • James Porter, Ph.D. Associate Program Director
    • Marian Sepúlveda, Assistant Professor
    • Vanessa Rivera, Ph.D. Associate Professor
    • Idhaliz Flores Caldera, Ph.D. Professor
    • Robeto Morales,  Student

    External Committee Members (2017-Present)

    Image of Andrew Tsin
    Dr. Andrew Tsin 
    University of Texas,
    Rio Grande Valley
    Image of Estela Estape
    Dr. Estela Estapé 
    University of Puerto Rico
    Medical Sciences Campus
    Image of Charles Irvin
    Dr. Charles Irvin –
    University of Vermont

    External Advisory Committee (2008-2017)

    Image of External Advisory Committee 2008-2017
    Francisco Gonzalez-Lima, Ph.D. University of Texas at Austin

    Adriana Baez, Ph.D. UPR – Medical Sciences Campus

    William Reznikoff, Ph.D. Marine Biological

    RISE Teaching Lab

    The NIGMS- RISE Teaching Lab is available to all graduate students at PHSU.

    The RISE Lab: Resources and Equipment for you!

    Open to all graduate students at PHSU the NIGMS-RISE Teaching Lab offer:

    • A full time laboratory technician for technical assistance and support in the operation of the equipment.
    • Training and assistance in basic laboratory techniques such as preparation of solutions, pipetting, lab management, etc. Training sessions in molecular techniques like cloning, Western Blot, PCR, qPCR, RT PCR, RNA, DNA and protein purification, plasmid preparation and transformation.
    • Equipment available upon request and reservation
    • PRACTICAL APPROACH TO MOLECULAR BIOLOGY COURSE
    • E-SIGN IN
    • WEBINARS AND SEMINARS ON MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES
    • FORUM
    • CONTACT US

    PRACTICAL APPROACH TO MOLECULAR BIOLOGY COURSE

    Course Description

    A Practical Approach to Molecular Biology (BSG 774) is a 2-credit elective course that will provide first-year graduate students with specific technical skills that (regardless of their final field of research) will benefit them throughout the duration of their graduate education. The course’s “hands-on” nature will promote good general laboratory skills from the outset, ensuring that those who attend will be better able to contribute and adapt to their current research laboratories. Among the skills students will learn are making clear written laboratory reports, reading and interpreting relevant scientific papers, and predicting experimental outcomes. Students will perform multiple techniques in a laboratory setting while gaining an understanding of the theories behind those techniques—including technical limitations. As a result, they will be better prepared to participate in and learn from the small group discussions in other courses and in the journal clubs within the rotation laboratory. These activities will augment their critical thinking and analysis skills as well as result in improved English writing and oral presentations; in addition, attendees will profit by improvements in their proposal writing skills, an increase in publications, and an enhancement of their overall competitiveness.

    This new research course complements the existing Ph.D. curriculum and will further the goals of the RISE Program “to provide continuing new and enhanced professional development and career skills training for NIGMS-RISE trainees at PHSU in order to strengthen their future competitiveness”. As science moves towards an ever greater use of multidisciplinary research approaches, such cross-training provides essential skills for future scientists.

    Course Objectives

    Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the students will be able to:

    • Demonstrate fundamental safe laboratory practices
    • Relate the general knowledge of the techniques learned in the course to specific experimental studies
    • Handle and manipulate nucleic acids and proteins employing basic laboratory techniques
    • Use standard procedures to analyze nucleic acids and proteins
    • Set up laboratory equipment safely and efficiently
    • Plan and carry out experimental procedures and, when necessary, identify possible sources of error
    • Interpret data and report (both orally and in writing) the experimental data and results
    • Utilize their newly acquired foundational knowledge of general laboratory practices and molecular biology to develop and/or further their careers in biomedical research
    • Use and apply technical skills with a high level of competence, leading to long term success in their future careers in biomedical research
    • Communicate effectively with others
    • Recognize the value of commitment to professional responsibilities and research integrity
    • Work both independently and in a team with others

    Laboratory Equipment

    • Multiskan Go Plate Reader
    • Iblot
    • -80oC freezer
    • CO2 Incubator
    • Biosafety Cabinet
    • Dark Room Facility
    • Inverted Microscopes
    • Brightfield Microscope
    • PCR chamber, thermocycler
    • Electrophoresis (agarose and SDS-PAGE)
    • Thermomixer, water bath, stir plate
    • Balance, pH meter, pipettors and micropipettors, platform shaker
    • Hybridization oven, UV crosslinker, microwave
    • Refrigerated centrifuge, mini-centrifuge
    • Autoclave, refrigerator

     WEBINARS AND SEMINARS ON MOLECULAR BIOLOGY TECHNIQUES

    1. Abcam:
    1. Nature
    1. Promega:

    Molecular Biology Virtual / Simulators Labs: Back to basics techniques: In this section you will find simulators or virtual exercises from basic molecular biology techniques like, DNA extraction, PCR, Agarose Gel Electrophoresis among others. This will help you refresh simple concepts and protocols necessary for your research area.

     

    Molecular Biology Virtual / Simulators Labs I: Back to basics techniques

    http://mbvi-au.vlabs.ac.in/

    List of experiments

    • Agarose Gel Electrophoresis (AGE)
    • Restriction Enzyme Digestion
    • Transformation of the Host Cells
    • Extraction of DNA from Agarose gel
    • Maintenance and Storage of DH5alpha E. coli cells
    • Extraction of DNA from Fish Fins
    • Plasmid Isolation (Mini prep)
    • Preparation of Competent Cell (Calcium Chloride Treatment)

     

    Molecular Biology Virtual/ Simulators Labs II: Back to basics techniques

    http://vlab.amrita.edu/?sub=3&brch=186

    List of Experiments (to access this section for free, you must register with your institutional e-mail)

    • Preparation of Equilibrated Phenol
    • Isolation of RNA
    • Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis
    • PAGE (Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis)
    • Ligation (Using T4 DNA Ligase)
    • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
    • Electroblotting
    • Plating of the Bacteriophage
    • Plasmid Curing
      • Extraction of Bacteriophage DNA from Large Scale Cultures Using Proteinase K and SDS
    • To extract genomic DNA from the bacteriophage in a lysate.

     

    Links for Advanced Webinars from manufacturers of products for the life science research.

    This section is dedicated to webinars, videos and learning centers in advanced molecular topics from the principal’s manufacturers products for the life science research. Once you have complete understanding of the basic topics, you can apply them to your specifics research needs. The following information will guide you to specifics protocols and troubleshooting concerning to your experiments.

    Qiagen Learning Hub

    You will find webinars, videos, virtual demos.

    Molecular Biology Methods: A comprehensive bench guide that provides protocols, hints, tips for success in all your laboratory applications.

    https://www.qiagen.com/us/service-and-support/learning-hub/

    Bio-Rad Learning Center

    This section offers extensive technical information to guide you through your research and help you overcome obstacles in your experiments. Here you will find workflows, protocols, FAQs, videos and product demonstrations, and a wealth of technical information on the theory and principles behind important and cutting-edge life science technologies.

    https://www.bio-rad.com/en-us/life-science-research/applications-technologies?ID=1120

    Thermo Fisher Scientific Learning Centers

    Is a huge library of educational assets. These include application notes, handbooks and sourcebooks, webinars, white papers, how-to videos, case studies, scientific posters, product selection guides, and more.

    https://www.thermofisher.com/pr/en/home/technical-resources/learning-centers.html

    Abcam Protocols and troubleshooting tips

    Protocols and troubleshooting tips on how to get the best from their antibodies. You will find protocols – by application or protocols – by research area.

    https://www.abcam.com/index.html?pageconfig=popular_protocols

    RISE Alumni

    RISE Alumni List

    Program Evaluator

    Carlamarie Noboa Ramos, PhD, MS       
    University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus

    Program Coordinator

    Jean Marie Schmidt

    Contact Us

    For program inquiries, please email  psmrise@psm.edu , or contact:

    Caroline Appleyard
    Rise Program Director
    Email: cappleyard@psm.edu
    Office #62-Research Building II (J).
    Phone: 787-840-2575, ext.4710 (office) 5658/5664 (lab)
    Fax: 787-841-1040

    James Porter
    RISE Associate Program Director
    Email: jporter@psm.edu
    Office #63-Research Building II (J).
    Phone: 787-840-2575, ext. 4709

    Jean Marie Schmidt, M.Ed.
    Program Coordinator, PHSU RISE Graduate
    Email: jschmidt@psm.edu
    Office: Research Building # 223
    Tel: (787) 284-2038

    Mailing address
    Ponce School of Medicine
    NIGMS-RISE Program
    PO Box 7004
    Ponce, PR 00732

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