A student with long dark hair and glasses smiles in a brown cardigan and blue blouse while presenting research. A student with long dark hair and glasses smiles in a brown cardigan and blue blouse while presenting research.

MARC at UAlbany

Promoting Diversity in Biomedical Research

MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers) at UAlbany prepares undergraduate students from underrepresented groups for success in competitive, research-focused, biomedical graduate degree programs and research careers.

MARC scholars receive financial and educational support to prepare for the responsibilities and rigors of a research career. Scholars are paired with faculty mentors, participate in hands-on research and professional skills training, and are guided through the graduate school application process.

The program leverages the University at Albany's strength as one of the nation's most diverse R1 research institutions to increase diversity in the biomedical research workforce by preparing undergraduate students for graduate success in the field.
 

Prospective Students

MARC Program Benefits

As a MARC Scholar, you'll receive the support, guidance and experience necessary to prepare for a successful graduate and research career:

  • Financial support covering full tuition, research funding and conference participation costs
  • Membership in the MARC at UAlbany Cohort, a community of eight MARC Scholars and their mentors who support and uplift program participants
  • Hands-on mentored research experiences, supervised by culturally competent faculty with track records of research excellence, resulting in the completion of an independent capstone research project 
  • Professional skills development and networking opportunities
  • Relevant coursework
  • Opportunities for co-authorship on conference presentations and manuscripts
  • GRE prep and guidance for applying to graduate programs in research

Each MARC Scholar will be paired with a faculty mentor and expected to complete the coursework required for graduation with a BA/BS with honors, along with a specialized MARC Scholar Seminar each semester.

 

Am I Eligible for MARC?

To be eligible, MARC applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a current sophomore/rising junior or equivalent at the University at Albany with a minimum of four semesters until graduation with a bachelor’s degree

  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

  • Be a member of a group that is traditionally underrepresented in the biomedical sciences as defined by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  Read the NIH list of populations underrepresented in the extramural scientific workforces.

  • Have a strong interest in pursuing a biomedical research-focused graduate degree, such as a PhD or MD/PhD

Please note that while eligibility for participation in departmental honors programs is not a prerequisite for joining MARC at UAlbany, it is an expected program outcome. We will provide the framework and support necessary to MARC scholars so you will successfully complete the requirements for a BA/BS with honors.

Apply to MARC

Submit your MARC at UAlbany application.

In the application, you will be asked to address the following:

  • Your eligibility for the program (as outlined above)
  • Your intended or declared major and relevant courses taken to date
  • Your general area(s) of research interest
  • Any current or prior participation in faculty-mentored or other research training
  • Your goals for your future training, including any plans to apply to research-focused graduate training programs
  • Why you're interested in participating in MARC at UAlbany

Please have your current CV/resume ready for submission.

We are currently accepting applications for the Fall 2024 semester. Review of applications will begin April 30th and applications received by that date will be given priority. Applications will be reviewed until the cohort is filled.

Student Researchers

MARC at UAlbany facilitates a supportive community of peers and mentors where MARC scholars will become highly skilled and competitive scientists.

Our Dedicated Faculty and Staff

MARC at UAlbany is supported by program staff, faculty and mentors committed to helping students become accomplished researchers in the biomedical field.

Program Staff

Jeanette Altarriba
Program Director, Administration
Dean of College of Arts and Sciences
Professor, Psychology

Julia M. Hormes
Program Director, Teaching and Mentoring
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Research 
Associate Professor, Psychology

Christine Wagner
Program Director, Research
Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Development
Professor, Psychology

Alan A. Chen, PhD
Scientific Lead
Associate Professor, Chemistry

Paolo Forni, PhD
Scientific Lead
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences

Andrew M Poulos, PhD
Scientific Lead
Associate Professor, Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience)

Faculty Mentors

Cheryl P. Andam, PhD
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Research Interests: Microbial Evolution, Genomics and Bioinformatics

J. Andrew Berglund, PhD
Professor, Biological Sciences
Research Interests: RNA Biology

Alan A. Chen, PhD
Associate Professor, Chemistry
Research Interest: Computational Biophysics

Paolo Forni, PhD
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Research Interest: Developmental Neuroscience 

Gabriele Fuchs, PhD (Dr. rer. nat.)
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Research Interest: Regulation of Protein Biosynthesis

Kenneth A. Halvorsen, PhD    
Senior Research Scientist, RNA Institute
Research Interests: Biophysics, Biosensing, DNA Nanotechnology

Melinda Larsen, PhD
Professor, Biological Sciences
Research Interest: Research Interests: Salivary Gland Development and Regeneration

Igor K Lednev, PhD
Dist. Professor, Chemistry
Research Interest: Disease Diagnostics

ChangHwan Lee, PhD
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Research Interest: Quantitative Understanding of Cell-to-Cell Communications in Health and Disease

Ewan McNay, PhD
Associate Professor and Area Head, Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience)
Research Interest: Alzheimer's, Diabetes, Brain Metabolism, Cognition.

Rabi Ann Musah, PhD
Professor, Chemistry
Research Interest: Medicinal Chemistry; Forensic Chemistry; Environmental Chemistry 

Li Niu, PhD
Professor, Chemistry
Research Interest: Neurochemistry

Cara Pager, PhD
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Research Interest: Molecular Virology

Andrew M Poulos, PhD
Associate Professor, Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience)
Research Interest: Development of Neural Systems in Emotions and Learning

Morgan Sammons, PhD
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Research Interest: Genomics of Cell Fate and DNA Damage

Annalisa Scimemi, PhD
Associate Professor, Biological Sciences
Research Interest: Neuroscience

Alexander Shekhtman, PhD
Professor, Chemistry
Research Interest: Biochemistry/Structural Biology

Jia Sheng, PhD
Associate Professor, Chemistry
Research Interest: RNA Chemistry

Alex M. Valm, PhD
Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
Research Interest: Human Oral Microbiome

Christine K. Wagner, PhD
Professor, Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience)
Research Interest: Neural Development

Mehmet Yigit, PhD
Associate Professor, Chemistry
Research Interest: Nanoparticle Systems for Diagnosis and Drug Delivery

Damian Zuloaga, PhD
Associate Professor, Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience)
Research Interest: Behavioral Neuroscience
 

 

Contact MARC at UAlbany

Julia Hormes

Julia M. Hormes
MARC Program Director

Associate Professor, Psychology

Social Science 313
[email protected]
518-442-4911