Through a $1.3 million grant to establish the New Jersey Biomedical-Bridge Scholars Program, students at Mercer County Community College and Brookdale Community College will be able to transfer into the College of New Jersey’s School of Science to earn degrees in the biomedical field.
With the help of an advisor, students, who meet the requirements, and have completed two years at MCCC or Brookdale, will choose classes and collaborate with faculty and other students on research projects, putting them on track to graduate with a bachelor’s degree two years after transferring. Students will receive a stipend of over $14,000 and 60 percent of their tuition covered in their second year at MCCC and their first year at TCNJ.
The grant, which will be awarded by the National Institutes of Health over the next five years, provides additional resources for students including two paid summer research internship experiences, funded travel to scientific conferences to present student research, and post-graduation mentorship with the potential for industry connections. Each year, two MCCC students will be selected to participate in the program.
“The students will focus on research that will help make our lives better through the field of medicine,” said Patrick Natale, MCCC assistant biology professor and NIH grant primary investigator who will be working alongside key personnel Nichol Killian, assistant to the Dean of Math, Sciences, and Health Professions at MCCC.
“At Mercer County Community College we are deeply committed to expanding pathways for students interested in biomedical research. Through the NIH-funded New Jersey Biomed Bridge (NJBB) Scholars Program in partnership with The College of New Jersey, our students will gain hands-on research experience and benefit from seamless admission into TCNJ to complete their four-year degrees,” said Robert Schreyer, vice president for academic affairs at MCCC. “This initiative is a transformative opportunity, empowering our students to become future leaders in biomedical research and healthcare, ultimately advancing innovation and health equity in our communities.”
