NORTHRIDGE : CSUN Gets Biology Grant for Minorities

Cal State Northridge has received a $700,000 grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute aimed at increasing the number of minority students graduating in biology.

Joyce Maxwell, acting associate dean of the School of Science and Mathematics, who wrote the proposal for the grant, said she hopes to double the number of American Indians, African-Americans and Latinos graduating in biology as well as other sciences over the next four years.

She plans to use the grant to fund research programs for biology students early in their academic careers. Maxwell also intends to closely monitor their academic progress and employ other students as peer advisers.

“Many ethnic minority students come into the program,” Maxwell said. “But their . . . graduation rate is not high.” Last spring, Maxwell said, only five minority students graduated in biology. The grant includes a stipend for 20 students each year.

The most important aspect of the program, Maxwell said, is to increase students’ enthusiasm about the field. “Biology is a very difficult program,” Maxwell said. “But . . . if we can show them the top of the hill, they’ll keep going.”