INSPIRE at RWMJS

IRACDA New Jersey/New York for Science Partnerships in Research & Education

INSPIRE at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (RWJMS) is a postdoctoral training program combining research training (70% effort) with preparation for and experience in teaching science to undergraduate students (30% effort). The INSPIRE (IRACDA New Jersey/ New York for Science Partnerships in Research and Education) Program, supported by an IRACDA (Institutional Research and Career Development Award) from the NIH, provides three years of support for postdoctoral fellows, with the option of extension of training supported by other sources. The INSPIRE Program offers a mentored research experience with a faculty research mentor at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School or adjacent Rutgers University, as well as training in educational methods, including mentored teaching and the opportunity to develop a new undergraduate course at a nearby Minority-Serving Institution (MSI). Partnering on the INSPIRE program are two nearby MSIs:

• New Jersey City University
• Medgar Evers College - CUNY
  

The Director of INSPIRE is Gary A. Brewer, Ph.D., Interim Chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. The Co-Director of INSPIRE is Dr. Martha Soto, Director of the Postdoctoral Career Development Program of RWJMS. Dr. Soto is the Founder and Faculty Advisor for the BIO Links (Biosciences Links to Teaching) K-12 Outreach Program, which partners graduate students and postdoctoral fellows at RWJMS and Rutgers with local middle school and high school science teachers. The program coordinators at our two MSI partner schools are Dr. Cindy Arrigo, Assistant Professor (tenured) at New Jersey City University and Dr. Edward J. Catapane, Professor at Medgar Evers College-CUNY. Faculty and program coordinators from these schools will play an integral role in the educational training and professional development of the INSPIRE Fellows.

The INSPIRE program will fulfill two important goals: prepare university-trained Ph.D. scientists for careers as scientist-educators in undergraduate colleges while increasing the participation of diverse populations in biomedical science research. We also anticipate that the program will increase interaction of RWJMS faculty with students and faculty of the partner schools. It will also enhance development of other trainees at this school who can participate in INSPIRE activities to enhance their professional development including workshops on scientific writing and courses on scientific teaching. To investigate Faculty Research Interests at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, please visit: rwjms.rutgers.edu/research/orsp/interests.htmll and rwjms.rutgers.edu/departments_institutes/index.html.

To learn about resources for postdoctoral fellows ar RWJMS, including postdoctoral policies and support, and career development programs, please visit: rwjms.rutgers.edu/research/postdoc/index.html.

• We will begin reviewing applications for the 2014-2015 INSPIRE Fellows beginning in May 2014. Please check the Application Information page for details.  If you have additional questions about this INSPIRE Program, please contact:

Dr.Gary A. Brewer
Director RWJMS-INSPIRE Program
brewerga@rwjms.rutgers.edu
Phone: 732-235-3473

Dr. Martha C. Soto
Co-Director RWJMS-INSPIRE Program
sotomc@rwjms.rutgers.edu
Phone: 732-235-4424