Post-Bacc Research Education Program Structure

CERTIFICATE & PATHWAY PROGRAMS

Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program

The Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program offers a structured and supportive environment for post-baccalaureate students interested in pursuing a research career in biomedicine. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to select a research mentor from a diverse group of distinguished faculty members. Throughout the mentor selection process, the program directors, your personal faculty adviser, and other faculty leaders will provide invaluable guidance.

We are committed to supporting the academic and financial needs of our scholars. We offer free tuition, on-campus housing, and an annual stipend of $31,000 for a 12-month period, in addition to health insurance. Travel awards are available for national meetings, where our scholars present their research findings and network with other scholars in the field.

Many PREP scholars have successfully presented their work at both local and national meetings (e.g., ABRCMS) and have co-authored publications resulting from their research projects. We take pride in the accomplishments of our scholars and believe that our program is instrumental in preparing them for successful research careers in biomedicine.

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Courses and Activities

Our curriculum is designed to immerse you in research and further develop your skills. While the majority of your time will be spent conducting mentored research, the program offers a range of courses, workshops, seminars, and lectures to enhance your chances of admission to rigorous biomedical research-focused doctoral degree programs.

We encourage our scholars to take advantage of the numerous events and activities available, including:

PREP Works-in-Progress Series: You will participate in monthly works-in-progress series and Journal Clubs. You will engage with PhD and MD-PhD students who are PREP
Grand Rounds of the Patricia S. Levinson Center for Multicultural and Community Affairs (CMCA): PREP scholars are invited to participate in this project and other CMCA-sponsored projects.
Students for Equal Opportunity in Science (SEOS) and other PhD organizations and activities of interest: PREP scholars are encouraged to engage in the SEOS organization and other organizations and activities.

During your time in the Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program, we encourage you to participate in a variety of campus activities and in regional symposia. We will also provide you with informative workshops and individualized guidance to ensure you maximize the PREP experience.

Fall course options offered for PREP students include:

Molecular, Cellular, and Genomics Foundations (one-semester survey course in the Medical School curriculum, offered for a grade with an extra research paper)
Biomedical Science I (PhD course) and accompanying Introduction to Journal Club
Selected courses in the Master of Public Health curriculum
Biostatistics
Systems Neuroscience
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Systems Biomedicine
Responsible Conduct of Research (unless you qualify for exemption)

Optional Spring course options offered for PREP students include:

Biomedical Science II
Microbiology
Selected courses in the Master of Public Health curriculum

Bryan Tricoche

My experience in PREP has been immensely rewarding and supportive. When I was applying to graduate school, PREP did not hesitate to assist me with writing my personal statements and crafting an excellent application, to which I got accepted to three out of the six schools I applied to and chose to stay at Mount Sinai.

Bryan Tricoche

Frank Fonseca

My time as a PREP Scholar prepared me to transition from being an analytical chemist to a molecular biologist. With the training from Arvin Dar, PhD, and Ernesto Guccione, PhD, I developed numerous technical skills that helped me when applying to PhD programs. Most importantly, I contributed to my first publication in Nature Cancer.

Kasopefoluwa (Sope) Oguntuyo

As a PREP Scholar, I sought out more full-time research experiences and gained so much more, which helped me become a competitive MD-PhD applicant. This included invaluable research experiences, mentorship from my research adviser, close friendships, and many other experiences all while living in New York City!

DeAnalisa Jones

I am confident that I would not be in an MD-PhD program today if it wasn’t for PREP at Mount Sinai. The program offered me educational resources and mentoring that I didn’t have access to for most of my life.

Jailene Paredes

Mount Sinai PREP was a game-changer for me. I deepened my knowledge and love for virology by doing full-time research alongside world-renowned researchers and experienced mentors. Gaining acceptance to eight MD-PhD programs and choosing to matriculate at UPenn for my physician-scientist training would NOT have been possible without my PREP experience!