MBRS-RISE Minority Biomedical Research Support - Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement
UnderGraduate Program

The MBRS-RISE Program is an excellent program for Undergraduate students with a sincere interest in a biomedical field. Additionally, as a prospective MBRS-RISE student, you should be willing to extend your education beyond a baccalaureate degree and have a desire to get a head start in academic research within your field of interest.

Undergraduate Program Content:

Individual Research Training -This benefit allows undergraduates and graduates to conduct biomedical research under the mentorship of selected faculty. Currently, the MBRS-RISE Program has 41 faculty members in three colleges and eight departments.

Preparing for the Graduate School Workshops
The goal of this student activity is to increase GRE scores; to assist MBRS-RISE students in applying to Graduate School; to teach MBRS-RISE students how to teach.

Group Research Training
Medicinal Plants of the Southwest Program -This annual 6-week summer program is offered to high school graduates and college freshmen to study basic sciences through research on medicinal plants. The objective is to develop an interest within the students to pursue a major in the biomedical sciences.

Benefit to Students:
Active MBRS-RISE Undergraduates are provided with the following benefits:

1. Hourly wages for 33 weeks at 20 hours per week, and 19 summer and holiday weeks at 40 hours per week
2. Year-round paid major medical insurance
3. Travel funds to attend and/or present a paper/publication at a professional scientific conference
4. Laboratory supply money for laboratory research needs

The cost of this benefit per Undergraduate student is approximately $14,000 per fiscal year.

Pre-Requisites for Admission into the MBRS-RISE Program

1. Must have an overall Cumulative Grade Point Average of at least a 2.6 on a 4.0 grading scale
2. Must be enrolled full-time (12 credit hours) on the NMSU main campus, and maintain a full-time status while in the MBRS-RISE Program. Dona Ana Branch Community College courses do not count toward full-time enrollment on the NMSU main campus.
3. Must be sincerely interested in a biomedical career such as: academic research, human medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, medical technology, nursing, physical therapy, or public health. You should also be willing to extend your education beyond a Bachelor degree and have a sincere desire to obtain a Doctorate degree.
4. Must have satisfactorily completed two lower-division science courses required by your major and/or by the NMSU university General Education Program.
5. Demonstrate financial need. Although this will not be a primary criteria for acceptance into the program, it will be weighed and considered in the acceptance of all applicants.
6. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United State of America

The cost of this benefit per Undergraduate student is approximately $14,000 per fiscal year.

MBRS-RISE Undergraduate Application Deadlines
.
FALL Semester	the 3rd Friday in September for an October 1st start date
SPRING Semester	the 3rd Friday in January for a February 1sr start date
SUMMER	the 4th Friday in April for a June 1st start date

To apply for acceptance into the MBRS-RISE Undergraduate Program, please complete and submit the following:

1. Completed MBRS-RISE Undergraduate Application Form
2. Record of Interviews
   1. Arrange interviews with as many mentors/professors as possible (6 mentors at least), inquire as to their area of research (Part II on the Undergraduate Application). The more you visit, the better, well-rounded decision you are able to make about whom to work with. Make sure to have each mentor initial and date the form next to his/her name, after the interview.
   2. Arrange a personal interview with one of the campus ethnic directors who serve on the MBRS-RISE Program Advisory Committee (Part III on the Undergrad Application). Ask the Advisory Committee representative to initial and date the form, after the interview.
3. Submit current, up-to-date transcripts of academic work from all higher education institutions you have attended.
   Undergraduate Advising Documents are not acceptable.
4. Submit a typed statement stating:
   1. how you would benefit by participating in the MBRS-RISE Program
   2. how your participation would help in fulfilling the MBRS-RISE Program's objectives, and
   3. your career goals
5. Arrange an interview with the MBRS-RISE Program Director, Dr. Elba Serrano, Professor in the Biology Department, by contacting her at (505) 646-5217 or sending her an e-mail at: eserrano@nmsu.edu.
6. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United State of America

MBRS-RISE Undergraduate Forms and Applications

The following files are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view and print the forms.

The following files are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. You will need Adobe's Acrobat Reader to view and print the forms.
	The Acrobat Viewer can be downloaded for FREE from Adobe
	COMPLETE MBRS-RISE Undergraduate Application Packet
	Undergraduate Application Form (only)
	Prerequisites for Admission and Application Check List
	List of Mentors/Professors in the MBRS-RISE Undergraduate Program

Other Forms (Payroll)
	2007 W-4 Form Required for payroll/tax purposes To complete, calculate your family exemptions, complete form and submit to Payroll Office
	Direct Deposit Form Have you paycheck automatically deposited into your Checking or Savings Bank account! Nifty! Complete and submit to Payroll Office. Remember to attach a Voided Check/Saving Deposit Slip with you Form!

For more information on the Payroll Office and to download other forms, click here to log onto their website: NMSU Payroll Office

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