American Physiological Society Minority Programs: Summary

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2003 PAESMEM Award Application
The American Physiological Society

Nomination written by
Marsha Lakes Matyas, Ph.D.
APS Director of Education Programs
Project Summary
Professional societies play a key role in the professional development of students as well as an important leadership role in helping the research community become an active participant in K-12 science education reform. Additionally, they can serve as a catalyst in developing a scientific workforce that not only encompasses, but embraces the benefits of diversity among scientists.

This nomination describes the work of The American Physiological Society (APS), a professional society that has worked since the 1960s to increase diversity among physiologists by:

•	monitoring the progress of minorities in the field of physiology;
•	developing long-term targeted programs for minority students and teachers;
•	and developing policies and procedures that assure that non-targeted APS programs involve diverse participants.

Each APS initiative launched is:

•	Developed with consideration of how to attract diverse applicants to the program;
•	Formatively evaluated to determine whether diverse applicants are applying for and successfully gaining entrance to the program or activity;
•	Summatively evaluated to determine the impact of the program on all participants with a special focus on diversity issues; and
•	Further developed to build viable connections between and among the individual efforts

The resulting set of programs and activities are powerful both in their educational scope and their contribution to our overall understanding of effective program models. In addition to the specific impacts of each program, they have broader impacts: They model a visible commitment to encouraging the full participation of minority students in science by providing effective program models that can be disseminated widely. The APS commits to each program financially to promote their long-term sustainability and impact.

The PAESMT award funding will be used to provide direct support for a minority graduate student in the field of physiology through the Porter Physiology Development Program.

To download a PDF with the full text of the nomination and an overview of APS minority programs, click here.