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Initiative for Maximizing Student Development IMSD

IMSD students in a science writing workshop

The University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Initiative for Maximizing Student Development program is funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences at the National Institutes of Health to promote biomedical graduate students from historically underrepresented backgrounds.

The Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) provides doctoral students with the mentorship, professional development, and community needed to succeed in graduate school and prepare for careers in biomedical research.

Administered through the School of Pharmacy in partnership with the School of Medicine, the program serves eligible PhD students from both schools through a collaborative approach to graduate education and research training.

Program Benefits

IMSD supports students throughout their doctoral training by offering:

  • Faculty mentoring and career guidance
  • Professional and leadership development workshops
  • Research and career planning resources
  • Networking opportunities with faculty, alumni, and peers
  • A supportive cohort of fellow doctoral students
  • Retreats and enrichment activities

Each year, approximately 10 students are selected from participating doctoral programs in the School of Pharmacy and School of Medicine to join the program.

 

Eligibility

Students must first be admitted to a participating doctoral program before being considered for IMSD.

After admission, faculty leaders from the School of Pharmacy and School of Medicine review eligible students and select approximately 10 fellows each year.

Participating Programs

School of Pharmacy

School of Medicine

How to Apply

Prospective students should apply to one of the participating doctoral programs. Students selected for IMSD will be invited to join the program after they have been admitted to their graduate program.

Program Leadership

Sharron Graves, DBA, MS
Program Manager, UMB-IMSD
Executive Director, Office of Student Enrichment and Strategic Initiatives (GPILS)
sgraves@som.umaryland.edu
410-706-6044

 

Sharlena Barrow, MEd
Program Coordinator, UMB-IMSD
Academic Support Services Specialist, Office of Graduate Programs
pscgraduate@rx.umaryland.edu
410-706-4266

Amanda Oglesby, PhD
Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
aoglesby@rx.umaryland.edu
410-706-8650

 

Angela Wilks, PhD
Isaac E. Emerson Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences
awilks@rx.umaryland.edu
410-706-2537

 

Dudley K. Strickland, PhD
Professor of Surgery, School of Medicine
dstrickland@som.umaryland.edu
410-706-8010

Make a Gift

Generous financial contributions from faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the IMSD Program are vital to the program's continued success. Choose "IMSD Programmatic Support Fund" in the Areas of Support dropdown menu.

MAKE YOUR GIFT TODAY

Contact

Initiative for Maximizing Student Development

Sharron Graves, DBA, MS
Program Manager, UMB-IMSD Executive Director, Office of Student Enrichment and Strategic Initiatives (GPILS)

410-706-6044 sgraves@som.umaryland.edu

Sharlena Barrow, MEd
Program Coordinator, UMB-IMSD Academic Support Services Specialist, Office of Graduate Programs (SOP)

410-706-4266 pscgraduate@rx.umaryland.edu

Additional Resources

Diversity Advisory Council Writing Center

The University of Maryland, Baltimore is the founding campus of the University System of Maryland.

620 W. Lexington St., Baltimore, MD
21201 | 410-706-3100

The University of Maryland, Baltimore prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator. Read the UMB Notice of Non-Discrimination.
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