Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology Prefreshman Research Experience (NPRE)

The Neuroscience, Developmental, and Regenerative Biology Prefreshman Research Experience (NPRE) Program at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) is designed to increase the retention and success of first-year STEM students through early research engagement, structured mentorship, and academic support. First-year STEM majors are at the highest risk of leaving STEM fields, before they have the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research. The NPRE Program addresses this by offering an 8-week research experience during the summer prior to students’ freshman year, followed by continued mentorship, professional development workshops, and academic resources throughout their freshman year. The NPRE Program is a two-phase initiative that supports students at critical transition points in their undergraduate careers. Phase I provides hands-on laboratory experience, graduate and faculty mentorship, a seminar series, and scientific communication training, allowing students to develop critical thinking and research skills before entering college. Phase II ensures continued support by offering monthly development workshops, structured study hall sessions, mentorship check-ins, and paid research opportunities for students who remain in their Phase I labs, sustaining engagement and persistence in STEM. The University of Texas at San Antonio and NDRB Department are committed to broadening participation in STEM. Data from our pilot programs demonstrate the effectiveness of early research engagement, with two-thirds of NPRE students continuing research beyond their first summer and 93% persisting in STEM degrees. By integrating research, mentorship, and structured academic support at the earliest stages of undergraduate education, the NPRE Program provides a scalable model for improving STEM retention and developing the next generation of scientists. Project Number: 1R25NS147371-01 | Fiscal Year: 2026 | NIH Institute/Center: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) | Principal Investigator: John MCCARREY (+2 co-PIs) | Institution: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SAN ANTONIO, SAN ANTONIO, TX | Award Amount: $105,446 | Activity Code: R25 | Study Section: Special Emphasis Panel[ZRG1 CN-W (92)] View on NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11305365