Baccalaureate to Medicine and Research (B2MR)

Mission

The mission of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus B2MR Program is to provide multi-dimensional mentoring and research training in biomedical research for post-baccalaureate students to succeed in top-tier MD or MD-PhD programs.

To achieve this mission, B2MR Program trainees will:

• Conduct research with mentor support to strengthen their research and technical skills.
• Improve their competitiveness for MD program admission through guidance and training on the medical school application process.
• Participate in high-quality professional and career development activities individually designed to complement each B2MR scholar’s needs and goals.
• Engage in continuous and dynamic mentoring and community-building research centered experiences designed to enhance the scholar’s network and integration in the social, research, and academic environments. 

Despite the growing diversity within the US population, there is a low percentage of MD or MD-PhD physician-scientists from under-resourced populations. While this program is open to all recent baccalaureate graduates who have a committed desire to pursue a MD or MD-PhD in biomedical research, B2MR aims to address the challenges that impact under-resourced scholars and support them in their pursuit of earning an MD or MD-PhD and ultimately embarking on a career as a physician-scientist in biomedical research.  

B2MR provides unique opportunities to its students on the Anschutz Medical Campus, with access to both research and clinical facilities on a single campus, along with a robust MD-PhD program on campus.  B2MR is supported by the CU School of Medicine Program to Advance Physician Scientists and Translational Research.

Eligibility

B2MR is intended for recent baccalaureate graduates who have a committed desire to pursue an MD or MD-PhD in biomedical research. This program is not intended for students who either have not committed to a future career in both medicine and research or for students pursuing a PhD program.  If you are interested in pursuing a PhD degree, please apply to the PIKE-PREP program instead, which is a post-baccalaureate program for future graduate students.

Before applying, ensure that you meet the following criteria. Applicants must:

• Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
• Have a baccalaureate degree in a biomedical field within the last three years or completed before entry into B2MR from an accredited college or university.
• Demonstrate a strong scientific background in the biological, chemical, and physical sciences in addition to mathematics as demonstrated through undergraduate coursework.
• Be committed to pursuing an MD or MD-PhD program in biomedical research following participation in the B2MR program.
• Not be enrolled in any medical or graduate program during the B2MR program period. 

Note: While there is no minimum GPA requirement for admission to this program, the applicant’s cumulative and science GPA as well as the number and type of science-related courses completed will serve as an indicator of readiness for medical school-level work, and prior research experience will be viewed favorably.

We encourage all interested applicants, including individuals from under-resourced backgrounds (e.g. education, economic, social), to apply. If you have questions about your eligibility, please reach out to us to discuss this further ([email protected]). 

 Sola Adeyiga

PAPSTR is pleased to welcome Sola Adeyiga into the B2MR program. Sola recently graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in Brain and Cognitive Science on the pre-MD/PhD track. She is originally from Chicago IL. where she first witnessed mental healthcare disparities in her community.

Her interests include neuroimaging research, mental health disparities in psychiatry, and addressing systemic inequities in diagnosis and treatment for marginalized populations. As a mental health advocate, she strives to advance representation in mental health research so underrepresented communities receive culturally-informed care.

Long term, Sola envisions a career as a physician-scientist in psychiatry, combining an MD with neuropsychology research to improve mental health interventions for diverse populations. She is excited to grow as a researcher, advocate, and future MD-PhD applicant through the B2MR program.

 Ariel Alexander

Ariel Alexander was the inaugural B2MR scholar and is in her first year of the program. Ariel graduated from Carleton College with a major in biology on the pre-MD/PhD track. She is originally from Dallas, Texas, and her family recently moved to Colorado.

Her interests include Epidemiology, health disparities research, and utilizing mixed methods to address human health and wellness issues in underrepresented populations. As a biracial-Black woman, she strives to advocate for increased representation in research and medicine so individuals in underrepresented populations are adequately supported and uplifted.

Long term, she envisions a career as a Physician scientist with goals to obtain a PhD in Epidemiology and a Medical Degree. Ariel is looking forward to growing as a researcher, individual, and applicant throughout B2MR.