{"id":146119,"date":"2025-01-03T12:32:33","date_gmt":"2025-01-03T18:32:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/?p=146119"},"modified":"2025-01-03T12:32:37","modified_gmt":"2025-01-03T18:32:37","slug":"first-direct-graduate-student-cohort-thrives-with-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/first-direct-graduate-student-cohort-thrives-with-support\/","title":{"rendered":"First DIRECT Graduate Student Cohort Thrives with Support"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Program provides financial relief, sense of community, resources to succeed<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

By Natalie Ehrhardt<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Graduate students in the first cohort of the University of Mississippi<\/strong>‘s new Diversifying Interdisciplinary Research Expertise through Community building and Training<\/strong>, or DIRECT<\/strong>, program are making strides in their academic journeys, thanks to the foundational supports it provides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0National Institutes of Health<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0awarded the university a T32 Graduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement<\/strong> grant in June\u00a0to help support and train graduate students<\/a>\u00a0from groups underrepresented in STEM fields. The funding \u2014 $2,146,821 over five years \u2014 comes from the NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It is incredibly rewarding to witness the growth and success of our first cohort,” said Marie Barnard<\/strong>, associate professor of pharmacy administration and one of the project’s principal investigators. “This program is designed to provide not just financial support, but a sense of belonging and empowerment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“By offering robust resources and professional development, we are equipping the next generation of scientists with the tools they need to excel, both in academia and in the broader biomedical workforce.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NIH award benefits multiple departments across Ole Miss, including programs in the\u00a0School of Pharmacy<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0College of Liberal Arts<\/strong><\/a>,\u00a0and\u00a0School of Applied Sciences<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eli Johnson<\/strong>, a Columbia<\/strong> native pursuing a doctoral degree in biological sciences, said being part of the inaugural cohort has allowed him to serve as an example to others from similar backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I come from a rural community where STEM careers are vastly underrepresented, with an even smaller amount of these people being Ph.D. holders,” Johnson said. “Being selected for this program allows me to be a representative of this group and to stand as living proof to others like me that a career in science is possible, no matter your circumstances.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program supports three doctoral students per year, with each student receiving support for three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It means a lot to know that people who have never really met you are willing to invest in your success,” said Alysha Hunter<\/strong>, of Nesbit<\/strong>, who is pursuing a doctorate in chemistry. “I feel like I have this new family that is supporting me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
The DIRECT program’s first cohort of graduate students \u2013 (from left) Eli Johnson, Alysha Hunter and Candace Bolden meet with Noel Wilkin, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, as part of a summer bridge intended to help with the transition into graduate school at the University of Mississippi. Photo by Sage McNamara\/School of Pharmacy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“DIRECT has made sure that we know what resources are available to us and that we take advantage of them. Everyone has moments of self-doubt and this journey is still scary, but DIRECT has made it less terrifying.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The goal of DIRECT is to develop scientists with technical, operational, and professional skills required to conduct health-related research in an ethically responsible and rigorous manner. It also provides students with knowledge and skills needed for careers in the biomedical workforce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Being part of a program specifically designed to enhance professional development through academic training has been a transformative experience,” said Candace Bolden<\/strong>, of Crawford<\/strong>, who is pursuing a doctorate in nutrition and hospitality management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“It has equipped me with the tools to apply my academic expertise more effectively in professional settings. There’s truly nothing else like it on campus for Ph.D. students; a unique opportunity that stands apart in its ability to bridge the gap between academic rigor and professional readiness.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Johnson echoed Bolden’s sentiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The DIRECT program has allowed me to quickly develop valuable skills that go beyond the lab setting and extend into the professional world,” Johnson said. “The program has shown me alternative ways of approaching complex issues and introduced me to new perspectives that I otherwise would struggle to be exposed to.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The inaugural cohort reached its first milestone over the summer, completing a summer bridge program designed to help incoming trainees transition into graduate education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The students visited with campus leadership and department chairs; became acquainted with resources such as the Graduate Writing Center<\/strong>, Career Center<\/strong>, and health care services; engaged in academic, research, and career skill development; and participated in one-on-one meetings with mentors and near-peer mentors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“The first semester of graduate school can be incredibly overwhelming,” said Melissa King<\/strong>, DIRECT program manager and a member of the pharmacy school team that worked to secure the program. “Participating in the summer bridge allows trainees time to process new surroundings, campus and local resources, build relationships, and a support network before being immersed in graduate courses.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other principal investigators for the project are Soumyajit Majumdar<\/strong>, professor of pharmaceutics and drug delivery, and Shawnboda Mead<\/strong>, vice chancellor for access, opportunity, and community engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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