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Morgan State University ASCEND Center for Biomedical Research

Morgan State University’s “A Student-Centered Entrepreneurship Development training model” (ASCEND) is an NIH-supported program that offers a novel, experimental “entrepreneurial” training approach. The components of the ASCEND program include an eight-week on-campus Summer Research Institute, a two-year ASCEND Scholars program, and a Student Research Center. In the ASCEND training model, the students take the lead. They own the research, understand the big picture, and experience the entire scope of the research process, which we hypothesize will lead to a greater sense of self-efficacy and research competency, as well as an enhanced sense of science identity. They are also immersed in environments with substantial peer support, where they can exchange research ideas and share experiences. To sustain and advance student learning and research skills, ASCEND is enhancing Morgan State University’s capacity by providing support for faculty, improving the University’s research facilities, and strengthening relationships with our research and pipeline partners. Further, the ASCEND Program has great potential to affect the lives of people beyond the campus through its community-based participatory research initiative.