Funding:
Both the DCBRM and PREP programs provide a fully funded research position in labs performing cutting research.
Individuals accepted into either the DCBRM or PREP program will be designated as full-time, non-exempt (hourly) employees and will be eligible for University sponsored benefits, including health insurance and tuition reimbursement. Full benefits details can be found here. An hourly wage of $17.10 will be provided.
Housing is not provided and will be up to the participant to identify. There are numerous neighborhoods around Washington University that have affordable housing options. Additional information about relocating can be found here.
Features:
Our programs offer features targeted to individuals who are interested in eventually applying to PhD and professional/PhD programs (e.g. MD/PhD, DO/PhD, DDS/PhD, etc).
Cohort Building
An emphasis will be made to create a community around the cohort of postbaccalaureate scholars. The programs will begin in late August with a 2-day orientation session, featuring entrance interviews, cohort-building exercises, and foundational workshops.
Postbaccalaureate researchers will meet monthly as a group. These meetings will alternate between career development workshops and tutorials, informal discussions among scholars about research projects, and one-on-one and group meetings with the program directors.
Career Development
Example Core Training Topics and Sessions:
Diversity and Inclusion: 1.0 – Awareness: Examining Culture, 2.0 – Understanding: Examining Unconscious Bias, 3.0 – Commitment, 4.0 – Action
Ethics in Research: Program for the Ethical and Responsible Conduct of Science and Scholarship (PERCSS)
Rigor and Reproducibility in Science
How to Keep a Laboratory Notebook: Basic principles and best practices for keeping a sound record of ones research efforts and results.
Laboratory Math: A review of scientific notation and common units of mass and volume.
Preparing a scientific CV: This workshop will guide scholars through two major forms of scientific professional biographies – the NIH-style biosketch and a curriculum vitae (CV). Scholars will be provided with examples of both and be expected to create one of each, with an emphasis on the CV.
Scientific Writing: Scholars will be introduced to the major sections of a research proposal and publications and will be asked to either write a specific aims page and/or an abstract of their project, depending on progress. Additionally, scholars are encouraged to participate in scientific workshops hosted by the writing center.
In addition to the core training curriculum, there are optional courses, workshops, and seminars that may include any of the following. This will be closely aligned with the research interests of the participant.
Seminar Series and Work-in-Progress Meetings (optional):
- Developmental Biology Seminar Series
- Stem Cells and Organoids Work in Progress Group
- Bioinformatics Work in Progress Group
- Molecular Cell Biology Work in Progress Group
- Regeneration, Aging, and Development Research Forum
Courses to audit (optional):
- BIOL 5152: Regeneration, Aging, and Development Journal Club (offered fall and spring)
- BIOL 4071/5352: Developmental Biology (offered spring)
- BIOL 5148: Metabolism journal club (offered fall)
- BIOL 5068: Molecular Cell Biology (offered fall)
There are many additional workshops and seminars offered on campus that participants are able to participate in (to be arranged directly between the scholar and the mentor). Some examples include:
Because this program is not designed for prospective pre-professional students (MD, DO, DDS, etc), there are no programmatically-sponsored clinical shadowing experiences offered.
Mentoring
Researchers and their mentors will work together on an Individual Development Plan (IDP), which will serve as a roadmap for the goals and progress of participants. These will be discussed at Fall and Spring IDP meetings.
Participants will work on a mentored research project in their host lab, with increasing independence over time.
Preparing for Graduate School Applications
Participants will be guided through applications to PhD and dual-degree PhD programs. Beginning in the 2nd year, a series of exercises will be offered to assist scholars in selecting appropriate graduate programs and in preparing applications. An opportunity to participate in mock graduate school interviews will also be offered.
While applying to graduate school during the program is not an official requirement, participants will be encouraged to do so.
Presentations
Participants will be expected to present on their research throughout the course of the program. At the end of Year 1, scholars will present to their colleagues and mentors. At the end of Year 2, researchers will present in a public formal setting. There will also be additional opportunities to present at various work-in-progress groups, lab meetings, and research forums.