Fostering Students’ Graduate Education Attainment and Success in Biomedical and Aerospace Engineering and Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

The Transformational Initiative for Graduate Education and Research (TIGER) of the University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez upraises the institutional STEM environment, by cultivating experiential learning and field research for low-income graduate students working in biomedical and aerospace engineering, and sustainable agriculture. The project enhanced curricular activities by funding three new core research facilities: i) Center for Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine; ii) Center of Advanced Aerospace Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies; and iii) Thermal Processing Laboratory. TIGER also defrayed an expansion of the field research facilities of the Alzamora Educational Farm and the Graduate Research and Innovation Center (GRIC), a technology-infused, collaborative learning space. Furthermore, TIGER supports cohorts of low-income graduate students (fellows) broadening their preparation for an increasingly competitive job market. They, as key stakeholders, receive personalized guidance and tutoring through the GRIC services. In addition, UPRM students enhance their graduate training in research venues via the Extramural Research Experience Awards that funds summer investigation in renowned universities and national laboratories in the mainland. As they return, recently acquired knowledge advances research approaches in their UPRM mentors’ teams.