The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development, which prepares San Diego State graduate students for careers in the sciences, recently received a $2.8 million federal grant from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

Since 1992, the SDSU program has provided financial support to biomedical and behavioral science students from diverse backgrounds. With the funding from the NIH grant, it will continue to assist students through 2017.

Program director and SDSU chemistry professor William Tong explains the importance of the IMSD program, “This intensive program prepares junior and senior-level students for competitive doctoral, research and leadership careers in the biomedical and behavioral science fields.”

Tong, a distinguished professional in the scientific community, has been awarded several research grants for a variety of projects and programs that have led to critical developments in the scientific community.

Program codirector and SDSU biology professor Sanford Bernstein also received praise from his colleagues for his collaborative efforts in national research.

Through the year-round guidance of acknowledged researchers Tong and Bernstein, the 30 SDSU students that the program currently supports are able to improve and continue their studies. Part of the support these students receive is being mentored by SDSU’s finest scientific experts. Students in the program also participate in internships, scientific seminars and conferences.