FAQ

1. What is the purpose of the RISE Program?

The purpose of the RISE program is to increase the number of Cal Poly minority students, historically underrepresented in biomedical research fields, that are accepted into biomedical-related PhD programs.

2. What is meant by "biomedical" PhD programs?

Biomedical research programs are those that grant PhD degrees in a number of cell/molecular fields related to the study of human health and disease. These programs may include such areas as cell biology, biochemistry, immunology, genetics, bioinformatics, pharmacology, microbiology, molecular biology, neurobiology, cancer, physiology, virology, etc.

3. Am I eligible to participate in the RISE program?

A: Participation in the RISE program requires that students major in Biological Sciences (Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, etc) or in Chemistry. They must have a Science GPA of 3.0 or better. The program is geared toward helping those of historically underrepresented groups within the biomedical research fields (African American, Native American, Hispanic/Latino, Pacific Islander/Filipino). The student must be pre-PhD in a biomedical research field. Students must be US citizens or permanent residents.

4. I am a biology pre-med major. Am I eligible to be a RISE student?

As per the guidelines set by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which fund Cal Poly's RISE program, only students that intend to pursue a PhD degree in biomedical related fields are eligible. Students who are pre-med, pre-dent, pre-vet, pre-pharmacy, pre-optometry, pre-nursing or pursuing other medical fields not involving the pursuit of a PhD in biomedical research are not eligible for participation in the RISE program.

5. Are there any financial benefits from participation in the RISE Program?

Students chosen to participate in any one of the three RISE programs are granted a stipend. The stipends are as follows:

RISE Invitational

Summer - $10/hr x 40hrs of work x 4 wks = $1600/student maximum
Academic Year - $10/h x 10hrs of work x 42 wks= $4200/student maximum

RISE Intensive-Undergraduate

Summer - $10/hr x 40hrs of work x 10 wks = $4000/student maximum
Academic Year - $10/h x 20hrs of work x 40 wks= $8000/student maximum

RISE Intensive-Graduate

Summer - $13.50/hr x 40hrs of work x 10 wks = $5400/student maximum
Academic Year - $13.50/h x 20hrs of work x 40 wks= $10,800/student maximum

6. How many years commitment is the program?

Students accepted into the RISE Invitational are required to commit the entire sophomore academic year and 6 weeks in the summer preceeding their sophomore year. Students in the RISE Intensive-Undergraduate program are expected to commit two years, plus 10 weeks in the summer preceeding their first year of participation. Students in the RISE Intensive-Graduate program are expected to commit two years, plus 10 weeks in the summer preceeding their first year of participation.

7. Can I apply to more than one program?

No. Students are only eligible for one program at a time. If after participating in one of the RISE programs a student would like to apply for another program for which they are eligible, they may do so. It is hoped by the RISE program that sophomores completing the RISE Invitational program would be interested in pursuing research and would apply for the RISE Intensive-Undergraduate program.

8. Where do I do my research?

Students participating in the RISE Intensive-Undergraduate program have the opportunity to perform research in Cal Poly faculty research labs. There will be limited opportunities for a few students to do research at surrounding institutions, including Caltech, City of Hope Cancer Center, UCLA, Western University of Health Sciences and the Keck Graduate Institute. Each student is expected to choose one faculty research mentor (FRM) at one of these campuses (program coordinators will assist you) and perform research on a project with that research team for two years.

Students participating in the RISE Intensive-Graduate program have the opportunity to choose a thesis advisor/FRM from either the faculty at Cal Poly Pomona or at the City of Hope Cancer Research Center.

Students participating in the RISE Invitational program perform research under the direction of a Cal Poly Pomona faculty member.