Translational Biomedical Sciences Training for Underrepresented Minorities (TBS) is a training partnership between universities in the U.S. and Brazil sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education Fund for Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE).
TBS provides innovative international research, academic and cultural experiences for high-performing students from underrepresented minority populations, with a focus on translational research and the connection between basic and clinical science.
We encourage underrepresented minorities to apply.
Partner Schools
Program Leaders
- Wright State University - Mariana Morris, PhD
- InCor Heart Hospital - University of São Paulo - Maria Claudia Irigoyen, MD, PhD
Ohio Partners
- Central State University
- Cuyahoga Community College
North Carolina Partners
- Winston Salem State University
- Wake Forest University
- North Carolina Central University
Brazil Partners
- Mackenzie University
- University São Judas Tadeus
- University Federal Minas Gerais
- Universidade Federal Rio Grande do Sul
Program Goals
TBS seeks to improve the education of undergraduate students from health-disparate populations by offering them innovative, hands-on exposure to biomedical research in an international setting. The ultimate goal is to encourage students' pursuit of high-level careers in biomedical science with the objective of understanding and eliminating health problems in this population.
Program Elements
- Student research internships that focus on health problems that differentially affect minority populations, such as cardiovascular and metabolic disease
- Online interactive course titled “Frontiers in Translational Research: Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease,” which involves faculty and students from the United States and Brazil
- Workshops in ethics, diversity, presentation skills and writing
- Language training
- Pre-exchange training program, which provides students with information on cultural issues
- Participation in a research symposium
Program Eligibility
- Underrepresented minorities (i.e., African-American, Alaskan Native, Asian-American, Native American, Pacific Islander or Hispanic), students with disabilities or students from disadvantaged backgrounds (urban/rural areas, first-generation college students, etc.)
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
- Undergraduate students in good academic standing at one of the U.S. partner schools.
- Students with at least one quarter/semester of Portuguese language or equivalent proficiency. Beginning Portuguese classes are taught at Wake Forest University and Winston Salem State University.
Program Dates and Information
The program’s start dates are flexible. Each group of students travels together to Brazil for a one-semester program.
During the program, participants pay tuition at their home institution and receive financial support for housing and travel. All participants receive credit for the courses taken in Brazil.