The VUU MARC U*STAR Program

Minority Access to Research Careers Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research Program

Creating Opportunities for Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Enhancement

The Program Models Scientific Environment
  • The MARC curriculum is very much lab-oriented.It is designed with the conviction that active lab-based research is one of the most effective training techniques.
  • Trainees design and execute research projects that seek to provide a solution to a yet unsolved problem of biomedical interest under the supervision of active research mentors.
  • Trainees participate as colleagues in a research group.
  • At the completion of the research project, trainees submit a technical report and give an oral presentation at a seminar modeled on a professional technical meeting.
  • Trainees are exposed to a diverse research environment not just at VUU and VCU, but at several major research centers and institutions across the country.
  • Trainees become co-authors of articles at scientific meetings and in referred publications.