SPECIALIZING IN FUTURES 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HISTORICALLY AMERICAN. 
 
UNIQUELY CARIBBEAN. 
 
GLOBALLY INTERACTIVE. 
Description 
Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) promotes 
support for developing careers in biomedical applications. The 
RISE program is funded by a federal grant from the National 
Institutes of Health (NIH) and is administered by program director 
Dr. Teresa Turner. ECS scholars supported by RISE must be 
interested in a career in biomedical research, work closely with 
faculty mentors on research projects, receive funding to work with 
off-island mentors during the summer and have specific 
responsibilities. 
Eligibility 
To be a RISE scholar, a student must: 
 
 
Be enrolled full time at UVI  
 
Have a GPA of 2.75 or above. 
 
Be a US citizen or permanent resident 
 
Major  in mathematics, chemistry, biology, marine biology, 
computer science, psychology, or nursing 
 
Be interested in a career in biomedical research 
 
Willing to fulfil responsibilities specified by the program 
 
 
Benefits 
 
The benefits of being a RISE scholar include: 
 
Work of up to 15 hours a week paid at a rate of $12 per hour 
during the academic year; 35 hours a week during the summer  
 
Work with a mentor on research project (supplies provided) 
 
Travel to scientific meetings  
 
Special workshops and help in applying to graduate schools 
and summer programs  
 
Funding to work with off-island mentors during the summer  
 
 
Contact 
Teresa Turner, PhD  
Director of MARC and RISE Programs 
Email: tturner@uvi.edu 
Tel.: 340-693-1382 
Fax: 340-693-1245  
RISE is part of the Emerging 
Caribbean Scientists (ECS) 
Program and funded by a grant 
from the NIH’s National 
Institute of General Medical 
Sciences.  
 
ECS Mission 
 
The mission of the Emerging 
Caribbean Scientists (ECS)
Program is to increase research 
training and promote excellence 
for STEM (science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics), 
including psychology, & nursing 
students at the University of the 
Virgin Islands. 
 
ECS Goals 
 
 
Increase the number of 
students majoring in STEM  
 
Better prepare students in 
STEM disciplines for post 
grad careers  
 
Support faculty research by 
providing funding 
opportunities for research 
on and off campus  
 
Provide funding for 
undergraduate student 
research  
 
Provide role models for UVI 
students through the visiting 
scientists program  
 
Provide for enhanced 
curriculum through 
development and adoption 
of innovative instruction 
 
Emerging Caribbean Scientists 
(ECS) Programs  
College of Science & 
Mathematics  
University of the Virgin Islands  
St. Thomas, USVI 00802  
Phone: (340) 693-1397 
Fax: (340) 693-1245  
Email: ecs@uvi.edu  
Website: http://ecs.uvi.edu/ 
 R.I.S.E. Program