Letter from the Director
As we move into the 2024-2025 academic year, we welcome a new cohort of 115 Michigan Research and Discovery Scholars (MRADS) and many returning student leaders. The scholars come from 11 different countries and 28 different states. They represent diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, exceeding the University of Michigan’s own demographics for diversity.
Since arriving on campus, our scholars have developed a foundational understanding of interdisciplinary research and interviewed with faculty mentors to find a research project to join. Additionally, they read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks– a novel that provides an important social history to the HeLa cells used in biomedical research. This book was central to discussions about the significance of ethics in human subjects research, the history of unethical experimentation on black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), and the value of diversity among researchers.
Our robust group of Student Leaders have been hard at work to support the 115 new Scholars. These Student Leaders focus on all aspects that shape our scholars’ lives. They host study groups, teach professional skills, develop inclusive spaces, and provide social support. They are critical to MRADS’ mission.
As the new director of the Michigan Research and Discovery Scholars, I am met with the challenge of innovating within a well-established and already successful program. There is always room for growth, but meaningful growth can be challenging to accomplish. With that said, I hope to provide new opportunities for our scholars to present their research and to learn from established researchers across disciplines. Moreover, I hope to find opportunities to increase community engagement and hands-on learning.
To achieve these goals, I aim to improve our Gift Funds (https://giving.umich.edu/um/make-a-gift) and am actively seeking donations to support student programming.
I look forward to the academic year ahead and to championing our students’ work. Still, I recognize the uncertainties that lie ahead, amidst growing polarization and large-scale problems related to climate change, sustainability, equity, health care access, and more. As we navigate these uncertainties, I am committed to providing a supportive space for our scholars. It is my firm belief that the research skills that they are learning within our program will be critical to helping them solve problems in these areas, both locally and globally.
Sincerely,
Ragan Glover, Ph.D.
Director of Michigan Research and Discovery Scholars
