RISE PhD Activities
Thank you for your interest in the UTSA RISE PhD program. After a long run at UTSA, the RISE program has ended. We celebrate our students and their accomplishments and will continue to seek out ways to support the highly talented and dedicated future scientists at UTSA.
PhD level RISE students participated in diverse activities designed to assist them towards successful careers in the research sciences. In the process, they...
- Developed the research skills experience for post-doctoral success.
- Gained experience in obtaining independent funding.
- Developed professional skills needed for a successful future in science.
- Attended scientific conferences and workshops.
- Learned about the various fields and career paths that they can pursue.
- Networked with scientists from around the country and learned about opportunities.
- Utilized program-owned computer technology classroom and laboratory.
In most cases, RISE program activities were integrated into a student's normal program of study.
Required Courses/Workshops
- Survival Skills for Scientists Course
- Grant Writing for Scientists
- Research Ethics (University or Course)
Other Activities
- Individual Development Plan
- Refresher in Scientific Writing
- Submission of a Federal Predoctoral Grant (NIH or NSF)
- Leadership Training
- Teacher Training
- StrengthsQuest assessment
- MARC/RISE Symposium
- Academic coaching
- Regular meetings and mentoring by program staff
Laboratory Research
Of primary importance in all science-related PhD programs is for students develop as researchers during their training. The RISE Program provided funding, supporting students in labs independent of mentor or departmental funding.
Technology Laboratory and Classroom (Tech Lab)
RISE participants also took various classes, generally held in the RISE Communication Technology Laboratory and Classroom (Tech Lab). RISE, MARC, and other student and faculty researchers have free access to this laboratory, where they can work not only on their projects, but also on any schoolwork that they need to get done. We encouraged students to use these facilities for study groups and to create and practice any presentations that they may have to give. By doing so, they also gained experience in the use of state-of-the-art presentation and instructional equipment.
Program Sponsored Courses and Workshops
The RISE PhD program included several program-associated courses and workshops designed to help them to practice and learn activities critical to their professional development. Graduate courses included the RISE Seminar and Survival Skills for Scientists.
- Research Ethics - All RISE doctoral students were required to complete an ethics course, either provided by their department or by a department participating in the RISE program.
- Technical Writing Refresher Course - At the beginning of the summer after they entered the program, all RISE PhD students participated in a two-week refresher of writing skills and introduction to technical writing workshop.
- Survival Skills Course (Bio 5972 or Chem 4972) - The Survival Skills course, taught by Dr. Gail Taylor, provided a semester of intensive professional development activities for Doctoral students. Activities were designed to enhance their ability to understand and present their research and operate professionally in a scientific environment.
- Grant Writing for Doctoral Students - All RISE PhD students participated in either a grant-writing course required by their program or a grant writing workshop sponsored by the RISE program. All students were required to submit a grant to a national granting agency, the NIH or NSF.
RISE Seminar and Lunch with the Speaker
Four times each semester, all RISE students attended a scientific seminar given by a role model scientist or scientist with a background in ground-breaking academic research, government research, or industry. Following the seminar, students met for lunch with the seminar speaker, providing networking opportunities as well as a chance to interact with other RISE and MARC students.
National and Local Conferences
One of the more exciting activities in which our students participated was the attendance of national scientific conferences. RISE students were funded to attend one conference per year and planned to do so. PhD students worked with their mentors to select the conference that they believed would be most effective for their development as scientists. Students were also strongly encouraged to participate in various local or regional poster presentations.
Annual Symposium
The first UTSA RISE/MARC Research Symposium took place in Fall 2004 in the Loeffler room of the Biosciences Building. The success of this event led program staff to make it an annual event, and even experiment with hosting a symposium each semester. During the symposia, RISE and MARC students gave poster and oral presentations. They presented research which they performed at UTSA, UT Health San Antonio, and various institutions around the country.
Awards Celebrations
And finally...each Spring and Fall, we hosted an awards ceremony. Here we both honored our graduates and celebrated the end of the semester. Students from all levels participated and got to know one another while playing games and eating. Program staff and students celebrated our newest graduates.
