Announcements
UCSD XULA applications open!
Please apply to the program! We hope it will be in person in 2022 but we will keep you posted.
UCSD is a top research university. We create, innovate, inspire, and transform.
Participants take part in the STARS program as part of a larger summer research community and experience.
Receive free GRE training and graduate preparation to take your career to the next level.
Learn about the faculty that are committed to the program.
Check out our schedule, which follows the STARS program.
Participants are paid a stipend, and all of their travel expenses and lodging are fully covered.
Students must be enrolled at Xavier, have good standing, be a sophomore or junior, have ≥3.0 GPA, and wish to pursue graduate school.
Participants are part of the STARS program, check out these commonly asked questions.
We immerse students in scientific training and offer them a taste of life as a graduate student. Each summer for three years, we bring in six students from Xavier University of Louisiana to the University of California San Diego to participate in the Summer Training Academy for Research in the Sciences (STARS) program and partner them with UCSD faculty and graduate student mentors. Our program includes eight weeks of daily lab research, student development workshops, graduate record exam (GRE) training, teambuilding physical exercises, career workshops and social activities. At the end of the program, each student gives a presentation at the UCSD Summer Research Symposium.
If admitted to a Ph.D. program at any UC campus, UCSD Xavier participants will receive financial support coordinated between the UC Office of the President and the UC campus.
A critical goal of the Initiative is to have more HBCU alumni complete UC PhD programs. Thus, increasing awareness about and access to UC and its incredible research enterprise is important. To facilitate this goal, UC will waive the application fee for UC-HBCU Initiative alumni who apply to any of UC’s over 700 academic graduate programs at any or all of our 10 campuses. If admitted to a UC PhD program, they will receive competitive funding packages offering at least four years of funding (tuition and fees and stipend/salary support). Funding rates and number of years depend on the department norms of the relevant degree program; some department packages are for more than four years. The funding is cost-shared by the UC Office of the President and the relevant campus (with UCOP contributing up to 2 years of support). For funding eligibility students must apply within 5 years of completing their current HBCU degree.
My experience at UCSD was wonderful! I am so happy I was able to attend this program because it not only exposed me to a wider range of research, but I also acquired a greater comfort with applying to graduate school. Everyone that I met throughout my 8 weeks was welcoming and helpful. I was able to network and learn about the various research fields that are being conducted at UCSD. I think this program is an amazing opportunity that has helped me expand my knowledge on what I initially thought graduate school was
My experience in the STARS Program at UCSD was amazing. I made many friendships and everyone I encountered was very nice and accepting. I was in Dr. Kim Cooper’s lab and it was like a big family. Everyone welcomed me into the lab immediately, therefore going to lab never seemed like work. You also have the freedom to explore the city and go on field trips. I had an amazing experience!
The STARS Program at UC San Diego provided the opportunity to participate in research at one of the top facilities in the country while also enjoying all that the beautiful coast of Southern California has to offer! The free GRE prep course, the workshops and panels for graduate applications, and researching in the lab supplied me with experiences that were vital to my decision to pursue graduate school. Through activities in the program, it was easy to learn how to reach out and network as well as find answers to every question I had about the graduate school application process. Researching fin whale behavior at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography was truly one of the most rewarding experiences of my life!
My experience in the STARS program was incredible to say the least. I met life-long friends, got the opportunity to be apart of an incredible research team, and received a lot of guidance for the next steps of my career. The program funded a GRE class for us and our books for the graduate exam as well. The graduate team at UCSD were willing to help us with absolutely anything, and for that I am beyond grateful. During the program they even provided food and snacks for anybody that needed it due to financial restrictions. Though I was only in San Diego for 8 weeks I really felt like I was a part of a larger community. I would love to have the opportunity to attend any of the thirteen colleges in the University of California system.
I really enjoyed participating in the UCSD - STARS program over the summer. This program allowed me the opportunity to join a well-known and credited neuroscience research lab for 8 weeks. Within this time, I learned the skills needed to conduct and present a complete research project under a great group of mentors. Through this experience, I was able to solidify my decision to pursue a PH.D. in neuroscience. In addition to the wonderful research experience, I had a great time exploring San Diego and enjoying its wonderful weather! The STARS program planned many enjoyable events that were both fun and informative. The program provides free GRE prep, a graduate student advocate, graduate school information seminars, and fun activities! I would definitely recommend this program to all young scientists interested in conducting summer research with the intention of pursuing a career in science!
The STARS Program at UCSD was truly amazing! The opportunity rewarded me with a new cutting-edge research experience, life-long friendships, and an enhanced knowledge about graduate school. In addition to the endless resources, the beautiful coast of Southern California afforded me the chance to overcome my fear of heights and go skydiving. Each day I felt myself elevating as a scholar and as a person.
My time at the University of California San Diego was nothing short of spectacular. The experience was much more than research, it was a time where I was able to reflect and refocus. The campus is a space that promotes creativity, with the resources to bring dreams to life. The STARS program provided me the opportunity to grow not only as a student but as a person. Here, I was introduced to life-long friends and a strong networking foundation that could propel me into my field. It’s a great graduate school life simulation, which enhanced my confidence in my abilities to not only gain acceptance but to excel. The UCSD-STARS program is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am blessed to have be able to experience it.
Please apply to the program! We hope it will be in person in 2022 but we will keep you posted.
Professor James C. Nieh, the director of the UCSD-XULA program will vist XULA to recruit for the 2020 program. He will be tabling in the morning on Jan 14 and give a presentation (with pizza Read more…
Prof. James Nieh will visit XULA on January 16, 2019 to answer questions about the program. There is a noon session (free pizza!) in NCF 162 and an afternoon session in NCF 173.
Selena’s research on honey bees was published today in the journal Insect Science. This is her first scientific paper and arises from research that she participated in as part of the 2017 Xavier pilot program.
Thanks to the UCSD-Xavier alumni who participated in Angeline Yang’s recruitment visit!
Angelina is excited to meet with students, faculty, and staff. She will be in the NCF Annex Room 130 noon to 1 pm and NCF Annex Room 173 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm.
Many participants have said they they really enjoy meeting students from other HBCU’s and campuses.
Join world famous labs and help to conduct cutting-edge research.
UCSD is in an amazing location, next to the beach and the culture and excitement of San Diego and Southern California. Give it a try!
Our students put in a tremendous amount of hard work, but the progam and UCSD is also a fun place! Here is a photo-booth image from the program closing ceremony.
The summer research conference is at the end of your experience and gives you the opportunity to practice your presentation skills.
As part of the program, you can take part in mentorship lunches with faculty from UCSD and XULA.
Join teambuilding exercises with other students. The ropes course is challenging and fun.
What a wonderful way to end the first summer of the fully funded program!
UCSD was recently ranked 8th in the world for its research and productivity in the field of Biology and Biochemistry! In fact, it ranked just below Oxford and Cambridge.Interested in learning more about our research Read more…
We would like to thank Willie Thompson, Selena Gray, LaMiah Hall, and Emily Wilson for a successful first recruitment visit to XULA!
Professor Meyer will be visiting in October (stay tuned for the exact date) to talk about the implications of his research for understanding epidemics and to recruit for the program.
Willie Thompson will be visiting XULA from Sept 14-15 to recruit for the program and to meet with the 2017 participants. Please contact him (w3thompson@ucsd.edu) or Prof. Harris McFerrin (hmcferri@xula.edu) if you have questions. His Read more…
Did you know that there are multiple other UCSD-HBCU programs? As a part of STARS, you will participate with students from the UCSD Morehouse-Spelman Physics program and with students from the UCSD-Howard Partnership for Graduate Success.
What is the relationship between STARS and the UCSD Xavier program? STARS is the main activity that you will take part in when you are at UCSD. The STARS program will coordinate your travel, schedule, Read more…
Professor James Nieh with Xavier students Lamiah Hall, Emily Wilson and Selena Gray The University of California-Historically Black Colleges and Universities Initiative (UC-HBCU) recently approved funding for an innovative UC San Diego program designed to Read more…
Don’t forget that the deadline for applications is November 19, 2017.
JAMES C. NIEH
Professor Nieh is the Program Director. He can answer all questions about the program.
jnieh@ucsd.edu
LAMIAH HALL
LaMiah is the student coordinator for the program and participated in 2017. She really knows how it all works and is happy to share her experiences.
lhall3@xula.edu
HARRIS MCFERRIN
Professor Harris (XULA) can answer questions about the Xavier side of the partnership and is particularly interested in talking to interested Xavier students.
hmcferri@xula.edu
(504) 520-5011
University of California San Diego
UC-HBCU Initiative
Summer Training Academy for Research Success (STARS)
How many students are accepted every year?
How do I select a project to work on?
Will I be guaranteed to work with the faculty member I select?
What are some of the benefits of participating?
Benefits include:
How does the application fee waiver work?
What graduate programs and degrees are offered?
Why is the HBCU-Initiative important?
What is STARS and how does it relate to the UCSD Xavier program?
Can my family visit me during the program?