Examining Undergraduates’ Intentions to Pursue a Science Career: A Longitudinal Study of a National Biomedical Training Initiative

Disparities in the participation of individuals from historically excluded groups in science careers persist, particularly at advanced career stages. In response to this challenge, the National Institutes of Health developed the BUilding Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) initiative, aimed...

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Main Authors: Jayashri Srinivasan, Krystle P. Cobian, Hector V. Ramos, Christina A. Christie, Catherine M. Crespi, Teresa Seeman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Education Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/825
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author Jayashri Srinivasan
Krystle P. Cobian
Hector V. Ramos
Christina A. Christie
Catherine M. Crespi
Teresa Seeman
author_facet Jayashri Srinivasan
Krystle P. Cobian
Hector V. Ramos
Christina A. Christie
Catherine M. Crespi
Teresa Seeman
author_sort Jayashri Srinivasan
collection DOAJ
description Disparities in the participation of individuals from historically excluded groups in science careers persist, particularly at advanced career stages. In response to this challenge, the National Institutes of Health developed the BUilding Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) initiative, aimed at undergraduate institutions to examine evidence-based strategies to engage and retain students across science-related fields. In this longitudinal study, we used propensity score matching and mixed-effects logistic regression models to examine the effects of BUILD on undergraduates’ intentions to pursue science-related research careers. The results indicate that students who participated in BUILD are four times more likely to pursue a science-related research career in comparison to their non-BUILD counterparts. We also discuss and present the need to incorporate research training and mentorship to promote a diverse scientific workforce.
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spelling doaj-art-c1b9b4f245a1467eaa255d01c5d6e19e2025-08-20T03:36:18ZengMDPI AGEducation Sciences2227-71022025-06-0115782510.3390/educsci15070825Examining Undergraduates’ Intentions to Pursue a Science Career: A Longitudinal Study of a National Biomedical Training InitiativeJayashri Srinivasan0Krystle P. Cobian1Hector V. Ramos2Christina A. Christie3Catherine M. Crespi4Teresa Seeman5School of Education and Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USAGeffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USAGeffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USASchool of Education and Information Studies, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USADepartment of Biostatistics, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USADepartments of Medicine and Epidemiology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USADisparities in the participation of individuals from historically excluded groups in science careers persist, particularly at advanced career stages. In response to this challenge, the National Institutes of Health developed the BUilding Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) initiative, aimed at undergraduate institutions to examine evidence-based strategies to engage and retain students across science-related fields. In this longitudinal study, we used propensity score matching and mixed-effects logistic regression models to examine the effects of BUILD on undergraduates’ intentions to pursue science-related research careers. The results indicate that students who participated in BUILD are four times more likely to pursue a science-related research career in comparison to their non-BUILD counterparts. We also discuss and present the need to incorporate research training and mentorship to promote a diverse scientific workforce.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/825STEM program evaluationcareer intentionslongitudinal studypropensity score estimationundergraduate research experiences
spellingShingle Jayashri Srinivasan
Krystle P. Cobian
Hector V. Ramos
Christina A. Christie
Catherine M. Crespi
Teresa Seeman
Examining Undergraduates’ Intentions to Pursue a Science Career: A Longitudinal Study of a National Biomedical Training Initiative
Education Sciences
STEM program evaluation
career intentions
longitudinal study
propensity score estimation
undergraduate research experiences
title Examining Undergraduates’ Intentions to Pursue a Science Career: A Longitudinal Study of a National Biomedical Training Initiative
title_full Examining Undergraduates’ Intentions to Pursue a Science Career: A Longitudinal Study of a National Biomedical Training Initiative
title_fullStr Examining Undergraduates’ Intentions to Pursue a Science Career: A Longitudinal Study of a National Biomedical Training Initiative
title_full_unstemmed Examining Undergraduates’ Intentions to Pursue a Science Career: A Longitudinal Study of a National Biomedical Training Initiative
title_short Examining Undergraduates’ Intentions to Pursue a Science Career: A Longitudinal Study of a National Biomedical Training Initiative
title_sort examining undergraduates intentions to pursue a science career a longitudinal study of a national biomedical training initiative
topic STEM program evaluation
career intentions
longitudinal study
propensity score estimation
undergraduate research experiences
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/7/825
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