MIRA Program

MIRA: Motivating Innovation and Research Achievement

Christopher Ibarra prepares a sample to be imaged while working in the lab.
Shown above: WSU undergraduate student Christopher Ibarra prepares a sample for imaging while working on a neurobiology research project with his mentor, Rita Fuchs Lokensgard.

The ESTEEMED MIRA program is an NIH-funded unique opportunity for undergraduate students from underrepresented groups planning to major in biomedical science and engineering fields.

  • Receive financial awards to help cover up to four years of tuition, summer research, and a summer bridge program
  • Gain hands-on experience
  • Work with mentors through lab rotations
  • Complete an undergraduate science, math, or engineering degree
  • Matriculate into a biomedical Ph.D. or MD/Ph.D. program
  • Pursue a career in biomedical research
  • Attend a national scientific meeting
  • Be a member of the WSU Honors College
Learn more about applying to the program »

Financial Support Includes:

  • $2,000 for students participating in summer bridge program
  • $12,000 during the academic year
  • $4,000 summer research experience
  • Six-week summer bridge program that covers the following topics:
    • Chemistry
    • Computational skills
    • Math
    • Science communication
    • Lab rotations
  • Research training in labs with outstanding faculty at Washington State University
  • First-Year Success Seminar (UNIV 104)
  • Integrating research & professional writing
  • National scientific meeting attendance
  • Personalized advising and mentoring

About the ESTEEMED MIRA Program

ESTEEMED (Enhancing Science, Technology, EnginEering, and Math Educational Diversity)

MIRA (Motivating Innovation and Research Achievement)

This program is sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (project number 1R25EB027606-01A1) and is a partnership of the Office of the Provost, the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement, the Graduate School, Multicultural Student Services, and the LSAMP and McNair Scholars programs, with WSU’s Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, College of Veterinary Medicine, and Honors College.

Program Directors

Mary Sánchez Lanier is Assistant Vice Provost and a scholarly professor in the School of Molecular Biosciences (SMB).

Alla Kostyukova is an associate professor in the Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering.

Samantha S. Gizerian is a scholarly associate professor in the Dept. of Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience (IPN).

Learn more about our program directors »