Thank you for your interest in the MARC program. After 45 years, and hundreds of undergraduates trained and launched into amazing scientific careers as doctoral level scientists, the MARC program has ended. We celebrate our students and their accomplishments and will continue to seek out ways to support the highly talented and dedicated future scientists.
The MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers) Program was an Honors research training program that developed its trainees as exceptional applicants and trainees for doctoral (PhD) programs in the behavioral and biomedical sciences. Trainees were also automatically admitted to the Honors College; they did not need to be an Honors student to apply.
The MARC program was funded by NIH/NIGMS MARC T34GM145507 under the NIH Training and Workforce Development (TWD) division and was developed to increase the number of underrepresented faculty and top researchers throughout the nation.
MARC supported students with ethnic, socioeconomic, and disability backgrounds (historically underrepresented in the sciences). Positions were for outstanding second-, third- and fourth-year students who had at least two years prior to graduation when admitted, who were majoring in Biology, Microbiology & Immunology, Neuroscience, Chemistry (with biomedical applications), Biochemistry, Physics (with biomedical emphasis), Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, or Chemical Engineering (with a biomedical emphasis).
All MARC trainees were admitted to the Honors College and had the option of completing Honors College requirements. Those in the College of Sciences were expected to graduate with a COS Undergraduate Thesis. Psychology trainees were expected to pursue Departmental Honors. Engineering trainees were expected to pursue Engineering Honors Program Admission.
All MARC participants took part in a variety of activities that built their credentials for doctoral program entry and helped them to succeed once they were there.
- They performed original scientific research at The University of Texas at San Antonio and at a summer internship at top research institutions around the country.
- They traveled to scientific conferences throughout the country and presented their research findings.
- They took courses to develop themselves in the biosciences and completed a MARC thesis.
- They participated in activities to strengthen their leadership skills and to develop both personally and professionally.
- They were introduced to a broad range of scientific disciplines and were provided with networking opportunities with representatives of some of the nation's top research universities.
It was the goal and the hope of program directors and staff that all of our students obtain doctoral program admission, successfully complete their degrees, and pursue satisfying research careers.
Program Testimonial
The MARC program was one of the training programs in the RISE Office. See RISE Office for details about the programs.
MARC funding provided by
Grant T34GM145507
Publications resulting from this program should acknowledge MARC T34GM145507.
