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MAPRS logo and 2023.
MAPRS 2023 will be held at Virginia Tech. We invite you to learn more...

 

Welcome to Virginia Tech IMSD 

Our Mission

VT-Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) is a training program designed to increase the number of minorities with a PhD in biomedical and behavioral sciences and engineering who want to pursue a career in biomedical research in accordance with the NIH mission. Our training program is a partnership with departments and programs in all colleges at Virginia Tech. The program emphasizes community, mentoring, and networking as a foundation to becoming a successful undergraduate and graduate student.

Financial Arrangement

VT-IMSD is supported by the National Institute of Health through the National Institute of General Medical Sciences with institutional support from Virginia Tech. IMSD provides financial support in partnership with departments and other units for students enrolled in a Ph.D. program at Virginia Tech.

Trainee Responsibility

Students participate in hands-on, bench research projects under the supervision of a PI. Students are expected to participate in research lab activities up to 20 hr/week during the academic year and 40 hr/week during summer.

History

85 percent of IMSD alumni (from the predoc program) have received a Ph.D. and are pursuing a postdoc or a position at a Research 1 University or in industry. 70 percent of the undergraduates who participate in the IMSD prebac program are in Ph.D. programs at different institutions including Brown, Duke, NC State, and Stanford.

Learn even more about the VT IMSD program in our brochure

A New Dr. in the House
IMSD Alum, Jordan Booker Ph.D. and his parents. He is currently a professor of Psychology at the University of Missouri.

Recent Virginia Tech News

  • Virginia Tech President Tim Sands announced a reopening plan for the university. Read his statement and plan here
  • Virginia Tech hosted a virtual "Unfinished Conversation on Race". You can view that discussion and learn what the university is doing to be more diverse and inclusive here