PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (January 27, 2022) – For Prairie View A&M University to receive $1 million as one of the inaugural partners in the Vivian Thomas Scholars Initiative (VTSI) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is both exciting and a true honor. Biology Professor E. Gloria C. Regisford, Ph.D., has been selected by Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs James M. Palmer to lead this partnership under the umbrella of another novel initiative, “Cultivating Undergraduates for STEM PhDs” (CUSP).
“This award enables me to implement my passion further; a passion for training and mentoring undergraduate students whose career goals are to enter (STEM) doctoral programs,” shared Regisford.
E. Gloria C. Regisford, Ph.D.
The PVAMU-JHU VTSI partnership initiative will reach first-generation college students and significant racial and ethnic underrepresented populations. In addition, the funding will enhance PVAMU students’ preparation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for matriculation into competitive STEM Ph.D. programs. It will also provide scholarship, professional training, and mentorship to undergraduate and graduate students.
“I am elated that PVAMU was chosen as one of the inaugural partners, and I was extremely motivated to write a proposal after being selected by Palmer to lead this PVAMU-JHU VTSI partnership initiative,” said Regisford.
This collaboration creates a sustainable pipeline of STEM students that will impact the workforce for years to come. Contributing to the increase of diversity in the STEM workplace is aligned with the PVAMU goal to elevate its research status, shared Palmer.
“Prairie View A&M University welcomes and recognizes the partnership with Johns Hopkins University for this important alliance addressing the national challenge of gaps in diversity of the STEM workforce. This partnership also signifies the dedication of our faculty, such as Dr. Regisford in biology and other STEM areas,” said Vice President Magesh Rajan, Division of Research & Innovation. “Their commitment to producing undergraduate students as research scholars who go on to pursue their doctorates demonstrates the growing awareness of the quality of our graduates and the exemplary research underway on our campus.”
Recognized for her longstanding passion for mentoring students, Regisford serves as the director of the NSF-funded Scholars in Undergraduate Math and Science program. She currently mentors over 15 undergraduates, affectionately called “The Regisford Lab Rats,” in cell biology research. Regisford is also an advisor for the Women in Science student organization on campus and the Diversity Committee of the national professional Society for the Study of Reproduction. These are just a few of several reasons Palmer selected Regisford to lead CUSP and the new partnership with JHU.
The project will provide tuition scholarships to 10 undergraduate students majoring in biology, chemistry, and math and two chemistry graduate students. It will also permit students to engage in and get excited by the endless possibilities that research can provide.
Regisford is looking forward to “providing opportunities to engage more undergraduates in research and scholarly activities” and “… mentoring students along the Ph.D. pathway.”
By Karen B. Cotton
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