Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Vincentian professor awarded US$1.7 million grant to train under-represented groups in STEM
Gloria Regisford, Ph.D is the principal investigator of the U-RISE program at Prairie View A&M University
News
August 29, 2022

Vincentian professor awarded US$1.7 million grant to train under-represented groups in STEM

A Vincentian professor of Biology has been awarded a five-year US$1.7 million grant from the United States National Institutes of Health/National Institute of General Medical Sciences to train under-represented groups in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) so as to promote equity in science and health spaces.

Gloria Regisford, Ph.D., professor at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) in Texas is the principal investigator of the initiative, entitled Undergraduate Research Training Initiative for Student Enhancement (U-RISE).

Regisford believes the funding will address future needs and challenges in biomedical sciences. These sciences include biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, animal science, nutrition, and chemical, electrical and computer engineering.

“All of these sciences contribute to basic biomedical research that leads to the development of vaccines and drugs that can cure diseases,” Regisford said in an article published on the PVAMU website.

Regisford, originally from St Vincent and the Grenadines, has been recently named associate dean of Research-Sciences for the Marvin D. and June Samuel Brailsford College of Arts & Sciences at PVAMU.

“We aim to increase the number of underrepresented biomedical research scientists, to have a more diverse biomedical research workforce, and optimistically take a step towards achieving equity in science and health spaces,” she said.

With a passion for mentoring and training students in research, Regisford has assembled a team from PVAMU’s Colleges of Agriculture and Human Sciences, Arts and Sciences, and Engineering to implement the five-year training grant.

“Upon receiving the notice of the grant award, I was simply thrilled with the good news,” she said. “I am so proud of our multidisciplinary team’s accomplishment and feel truly inspired by the hope of PVAMU producing more productive people who ultimately become biomedical research scientists.”

The co-principal investigators on the project include Noushin Ghaffari, Ph.D., assistant professor of computer science; Laura Carson, Ph.D., research scientist and director of undergraduate research and research compliance in PVAMU’s College of Agriculture and Human Sciences; and Ananda Amarasekara, Ph.D., professor and interim head of PVAMU’s Chemistry and Physics Departments.

In addition to reaching a large population of racial and ethnic underrepresented students with disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, the new U-RISE at PVAMU program will reach first-generation students.

“Students will be involved in a robust mentoring program that supports and motivates them to succeed,” said Regisford. “They will also receive financial support to remove the need to work off campus or obtain [additional] student loans. In addition, students will have opportunities to engage in biomedical research with some of our brilliant research scientists and participate in an enriched academic curriculum that highlights the research process.”

With leadership from the vice president for Research & Innovation, the university promotes undergraduate engagement in research and is in “full support” of this newly funded program.

“For the National Institutes of Health to select Prairie View A&M University and award the major U-RISE sponsored project signifies our continued growth in research prominence,” said Vice President of Research & Innovation Magesh Rajan, Ph.D., P.E., MBA.

“Our cross-disciplinary faculty are committed to nurturing and developing today’s young scholars into tomorrow’s research-focused experts. Dr. Regisford’s team is dedicated to involving and training PVAMU students in their respective disciplines.

This grant empowers them to expand their efforts and impact a greater number of students to become future researchers and address the gaps in national workforce demands.”

Although student enrollment in biomedical science disciplines is relatively high at PVAMU, less than 10% of students declare an interest in graduate school. This conundrum may be due to a lack of exposure and preparation for the rigors of graduate school. The U-RISE at PVAMU program seeks to address this concern.

“U-RISE will enhance the research culture at PVAMU by having more of our students engaged in research activities with our resident research scientists,” Regisford said.

The U-RISE at PVAMU program will recruit four students each year over a period of five years. To participate in the program, sophomore students must be a member of a racial and ethnic underrepresented population with a declared major in a biomedical science discipline (biology, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, animal science, nutrition, chemical or electrical engineering). They must also desire to pursue a doctoral degree in biomedical sciences.

“The U-RISE at PVAMU trainees will experience hands-on research with an enriched interdisciplinary research culture for three years. A team of faculty, research professors and scientists, and external collaborators will create a nurturing and stimulating culture of support,” said Regisford.

“I am excited about every aspect of our proposed U-RISE at PVAMU program,” she continued. “I look forward to working closely with everyone, especially the students, research mentors and my multidisciplinary management team.”

Regisford is the ninth child of the late David and Myrtle Regisford of Bridgetown, Biabou.

A past student of the Biabou Methodist School, the Girls’ High School and the St. Vincent Grammar School, Regisford migrated to the United States in 1981 to further her education.

In 1985 she graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science. From there, she moved on to Pennsylvania State University, where she graduated with a Masters degree in Reproductive Physiology in 1988.

In 1994, she graduated with a PhD in Reproductive Endocrinology from Rutgers University.

{"carousel":"Carousel"}
  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Front Page
    Domestic worker killed at Long Wall
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    FAMILY MEMBERS of a woman who was killed at Long Wall say they suspect their relative was hacked by a person they all know very well. On Tuesday, Sept...
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Front Page
    NDP never built a single house in SVG – Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE IDEA THAT HOUSING is a right, that every Vincentian has a right to safe and secure housing, and that the government has a role to play in ensuring...
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Front Page
    No bail for Police officer charged with attempted murder
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A POLICE OFFICER, who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend 26 times about her body was remanded even as his lawyer argued that the Royal St Vincent and...
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Front Page
    New ULP Administration will roll out AI policy
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A NEW UNITY LABOUR PARTY ADMINISTRATION will be rolling out an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy to embrace its positives and guard against the nega...
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Front Page
    Sandy Bay Secondary School marks 20th Anniversary
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER, 9,2025 was a memorable day for the staff and students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School, which was marking its 20th anniversary wi...
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    News
    Foundation implements community driven project in SVG
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    THE ASHLEY LASHLEY Foundation, with support from the United States Government, is implementing a local-level project entitled “Community-Driven Strate...
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    News
    Skills not available locally, non-nationals have to be hired says Finance Minister
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    NON- NATIONALS ARE being hired to fill several jobs in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) simply because locals did not have the required skill sets....
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    News
    Montgomery Daniel squashes rumours that he’s sick
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER Montgomery Daniel has sought to clear around rumours that have been circulating relating to his health. Speaking on NBC radio on...
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    News
    $1.3 billion in Tourism investment to yield 2,000 jobs – Camillo
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    The GOVERNMENT of St Vincent and the Grenadines is set to sign agreements for tourism investment of $1.3 billion on mainland St.Vincent. On Monday, Se...
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    From the Courts, News
    Bagga’ man pleads guilty to illegal gun, ammo possession
    Webmaster 
    September 12, 2025
    A BARROUALLIE MAN will be sentenced next week after pleading guilty to being in illegal possession of a firearm and eight rounds of ammunition. Demron...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok