The MADURA Program

Video Description

Applying the principles of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) within the walls of the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science at UC San Diego supports our aim to create a more inclusive and healthier work and learning environments.

Among the many programs aimed at addressing JEDI is a National Institute of Aging-funded R25 undergraduate training program called Mentorship for Advancing Diversity in Undergraduate Research on Aging (MADURA). Its primary objective is to improve diversity in research and clinical careers that are focused on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) and other aging-related topics by providing paid hands-on research experience to UC San Diego undergraduate students who are from groups historically underrepresented in medical, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (MSTEM) majors. 

"We want to enable students in medical and STEM majors to enter careers they aspire to and where better representation is needed. MADURA addresses the needs of the students through mentoring, research experience and financial support, but it also addresses important scientific research needs,"  said Sheri Thompson, Ph.D., MADURA program coordinator. 

With an interdisciplinary approach to public health, MADURA has 30 faculty mentors ready to help students with a range of majors from psychology to cognitive science to computer science.

In addition to hands-on experience, the program supports trainee academic success and retention and promotes application to graduate and medical programs as well as entry into clinical or research careers in aging or ADRD.

Additional information about the MADURA program can be found on its website.