 | Iona Black is pictured here with two past participants of the STARS program. In a recent survey, alumni said that they found the program to be beneficial. |
A Yale program designed to encourage the pursuit of careers in science and engineering among undergraduates underrepresented in those fields has inspired students to do just that, according to a recent survey of past participants.
Now in its 10th year, the STARS (Science, Technology and Research Scholars) program provides Yale students with an integrated experience in research, course-based study and development of mentorship skills. The initiative identifies and supports students in the natural sciences and engineering majors who come from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in science, including racial and ethnic minorities, women and physically challenged students.
The program -- which is supported by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (BIPI) and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) -- has two components: STARS I for first- and second-year students, and STARS II for juniors and seniors. The program also offers summer research programs.
A survey of past STARS participants who graduated between 1999 and 2005 showed that 78% of the respondents are currently pursuing or intend to pursue careers in sciences. Of these, 60% are seeking M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degrees, and another 18% are aiming for Ph.D. degrees in the sciences or engineering.
In fact, the survey showed that students who participate in STARS I and continue on to summer research fellowships and/or STARS II are almost seven times as likely as non-STARS students to continue in the sciences, when other factors are taken into account. The program helps students who come as freshmen intending majors in science or engineering to continue their studies in those fields and graduate with science degrees.
Asked what components of the program they found most valuable, the alumni cited the supportiveness and diversity of the STARS community, the exposure to "real" science early in their careers and the opportunity to build strong skills and character traits, including -- but not limited to -- time management, critical thinking, confidence, teamwork, and oral and written presentation skills.
Typical comments from the respondents included "Seeing so many other minority students engaged in the pursuit of goals similar to mine showed me that I was not alone," and "I had always wanted to be a physician -- it was my main goal when I went to college. What I did not know was that I wanted and needed to be engaged in research as a physician. There are so many questions left to answer; because of STARS I can identify them and answer them, and I will continue to do so for the rest of my life."
STARS was founded in 1995 with funding from HHMI. The program was later expanded to include the STARS II and summer components, thanks in large part to financial support from BIPI, which has also provided summer internships that give STARS students the opportunity to work with the company's scientists.
According to Peter Salovey, dean of Yale College, "Such exposure to laboratory work at a leading pharmaceutical company further enhances the preparation that the STARS program provides. Moreover, these interns return to Yale with valuable experience and insights to share with their fellow students in the sciences."
Today, more than 100 students each year participate in the STARS I and STARS II programs during the academic year and the summer. Iona Black, a lecturer in chemistry, is the program's academic director; Pamela George, assistant dean of Yale College, is its administrative director.
Beyond the lab and the classroom, STARS students participate in many broadly enriching activities. Special dinners bring together the students and scientists in multiple disciplines from Yale and other schools. Graduate and medical school panels mentor and provide guidance in career development, and STARS scholars are encouraged to attend national and regional science conferences.
Provost Andrew D. Hamilton says, "The impact of STARS is shown in the success of our scholars winning prestigious fellowships, advancing to the strongest graduate and professional programs and publishing research in top journals. We are grateful for Boehringer Ingelheim's generous continuing support."
T H I S
Survey shows that STARS alumni
give program high marks
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