CIMR Programs

The mission of URISE (Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement) at PSU is to recruit, train, and mentor students from historically underrepresented groups to continue biomedical research training. URISE Trainees are undergraduates who are committed to pursuing advanced education, research training, and a research career in a biomedical, behavioral, social, clinical, or translational field.

Past PSU President, Stephen Percy, provided funds to support students from historically excluded backgrounds, especially DACA or undocumented students to participate in undergraduate research! This opportunity will provide funding for up to 10 paid research placements from Summer 2023 through Summer 2024.

The PROA Pathways program is a cooperative arrangement between the Northern Marianas College (NMC) and Portland State University (PSU) under the U.S. Department of Education’s Asian American Native American Pacific Islanders Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) grant. This program supports Asian American and Pacific Islander students as they graduate from NMC and transfer to PSU by providing services that will help them identify career paths in STEM, receive mentorship and guidance, and gain research experience that aligns with their educational and career goals in preparation for their transition.

Ignite emphasizes a culture of support and community, which is particularly important in a clinical healthcare career pathways that can be complex and overwhelming for students. By providing social, career, and academic-oriented support while reducing financial barriers and increasing the time students have available for activities to support their success, we aim to increase the success of students in their pursuit of healthcare careers. The program began as a partnership between PSU, Kaiser Permanente, and The Contingent but is working to strengthen relationships with additional healthcare organizations.