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.
I am a Professor of Biology and strongly committed to helping our participants learn, grow, and succeed.
I am a senior at XULA and participated in the UCSD Xavier Pilot program in 2017
I am head of the Division of Biological and Public Health Sciences at XULA.
I am director of XULA's Center for Intercultural and International Programs and help to coordinate the UCSD Xavier program
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!
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…
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?