Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation

CSU-LSAMP Bridge to the Doctorate (BD)

APPLICATION NOW CLOSED

Overview

Participating students will focus on activities that will enhance their preparation for PhD studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). CSU-LSAMP BD Program at California State University, Fresno (Fresno State) includes completion of a Master of Science degree and entrance into a PhD program in a STEM discipline. CSU-LSAMP BD fellows are expected to complete the Master of Science degree in science, mathematics or engineering within 24 months. At the start of each new NSF-funded CSU-LSAMP BD program, a cohort of 12 students are selected. The CSU-LSAMP Program Oversight Committee determines which CSU campus will be the performance site for each LSAMP-BD program, contingent upon NSF funding. Program activities are designed to ensure that each CSU-LSAMP BD fellow:

pursues a rigorous curriculum of graduate study leading to a MS degree in a STEM discipline in two years
participates in a project of original research and acquires the skills required to communicate the outcomes in written and oral formats [written thesis, publication(s) in peer-reviewed journal(s), presentation(s) at national scientific conferences, presentation at departmental seminar or other on-campus program functions];
receives intense advising, mentoring and academic support necessary to become a confident and successful graduate student; and
achieves competitive scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general & subject tests to support acceptance into a high quality PhD program.

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible for the CSU-LSAMP BD research fellowship, you must (1) have been a participant in an LSAMP (also called CAMP or AMP) program at your undergraduate institution and (2) have applied to and been accepted for admissions to a Fresno State Graduate School and to the specific STEM department in which you intend to receive the Master of Science degree. Please note, some departments have very specific deadlines for receipt of your application.

Program Benefits

$32,000 stipend per year
Cost of education allowance
- California residency graduate tuition and fees for two years towards completion of a MS degree in a STEM discipline
Travel to professional conferences
Mentorship
Professional Development
STEM PhD program application support

* Funded by the National Science Foundation - NSF Award 1905148

Carina Amaya

Carina completed her undergraduate degree at California State University, San Jose with a BS in Biological Sciences. She is currently pursuing a MS in Biology. Dr. Cory Brooks is her faculty research mentor.

Michelle Berrios

Michelle completed her undergraduate degree at California State University, East Bay with a BS in Physics. She is currently pursuing a MS in Physics. Dr. Mihai Gherase is her faculty research mentor.

Korenna Estes

Korenna completed her undergraduate degree at California State University, Channel Islands with a BS in Biology. She is currently pursuing a MS in Biology. Dr. David Lent is her faculty research mentor.

Elaine Gonzalez

Elaine Gonzalez completed her undergraduate degree at California State University, Bakersfield with a BS in Chemistry. She is currently pursuing a MS in Chemistry. Dr. Jai-Pil Choi is her faculty research mentor.

Armando Guerrero

Armando Guerrero completed his undergraduate degree at California State University, San Francisco with a BS in Physics (concentrated in Astrophysics). He is currently pursuing a MS in Physics. Dr. Frederick Ringwald is his faculty research mentor.

Jesus Gutierrez

Jesus Gutierrez completed his undergraduate degree at California State University, Fresno with a BS in Engineering. He is currently pursuing a MS in Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Zhi Liang is his faculty research mentor.

Jorge Jacinto

Jorge Jacinto completed his undergraduate degree at the University of California Santa Barbara with a BS in Biochemistry-Molecular Biology and a Minor in Physics. He is currently pursuing a MS in Chemistry. Dr. Joy Goto is his faculty research mentor.

Gabriel Martinez Lazaro

Gabriel Martinez Lazaro completed his undergraduate degree at California State University, Fullerton with a BA in Applied Mathematics. He is currently pursuing a MS in Mathematics. Dr. Marat V. Markin is his faculty research mentor.

Rito Medina

Rito Medina completed his undergraduate degree at California State University, Fresno with a BS in Plant Science (Plant Health option). He is currently pursuing a MS in Plant Science. Dr. Sharon Benes is his faculty research mentor.

Marissa Morado

Marissa Morado completed her undergraduate degree at California State University, Stanislaus with a BS in Mathematics. She is currently pursuing a MS in Mathematics. Dr. Comlan de Souza is her faculty research mentor.

Matthew Nuyten

Matthew Nuyten completed his undergraduate degree at California State University, San Bernardino with a BA in Mathematics. He is currently pursuing a MS in Mathematics. Dr. Carmen Caprau is his faculty research mentor.

Vanessa Valencia

Vanessa Valencia completed her undergraduate degree at California State University, Fresno with a BS in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. She is currently pursuing a MS in Biology. Dr. Tricia Van Laar is her faculty research mentor.