Undergraduate Research Hub

Despite national efforts to diversify medical education, the physician workforce in the United States remains disproportionately Caucasian and economically privileged. Students who are underrepresented in medicine (URiM) continue to face entrenched structural barriers, including limited access to early clinical exposure, unclear pathways to medical preparation, and financial constraints that limit their participation in critical pre-medical experiences. This study investigates how such barriers affect URiM students’ confidence in meeting clinical and community service expectations for medical school admissions. Using data from “Happy Weekends,” a student-led clinical training initiative within the Undergraduate MD/PhD Society (UMPS) 501(c)(3), we assess the preparedness and perceptions of pre-medical students engaged in the program. Quantitative analysis of confidence scores revealed no statistically significant change in URiM students' confidence scores from pre- to post-intervention, though upward trends were observed. Qualitative student interviews highlighted frustration with the inaccessibility of clinical opportunities, a lack of mentorship, and the financial burdens associated with application preparation. At the same time, students emphasized that peer support and social connection through UMPS events helped mitigate feelings of isolation and foster a sense of belonging. We found that although community-based interventions may not immediately alter self-assessed preparedness for medical school, the lack of opportunities is perceived as problematic. Our qualitative results suggest that initiatives, such as Happy Weekends, have the potential to provide, at a minimum, emotional support and, more broadly, the grounds to build greater confidence in applying to medical school in the long term.

Pyropia spp. (i.e., nori) is an economically, ecologically, and culturally significant red seaweed worldwide. Herbarium records were analyzed to inform our understanding of its distribution along California’s coast. We investigated the relationship between sea surface temperature (SST) and the occurrence of Pyropia spp., and how this relationship has changed temporally in association with ocean warming. Herbaria data was collected from the University of California, Berkeley Herbarium and the Macroalgae Herbarium Consortium (1875-2024), and SST data from the UCSD Shore Stations Program (1919-2024). Additionally, a literature review of the biogeographic regions, life cycle, optimal temperature ranges, and speciation was compiled. We found that relative abundance using herbaria pressings is consistent with past research. There is also a greater amount of Pyropia spp. north of Point Conception, but pressings can only complement in situ data, and not used as a 1-1 replacement. There was not a clear decline in pressings over time by county, although there are limitations due to convenience sampling and lack of available specimens. Preliminary results seem to suggest a possible relationship between SST and the occurrence of Pyropia spp., which may change with warming. Future studies should include visits to various field sites and conduct seasonal sampling to achieve a better understanding of the change in distribution over time. By doing so, we can gain insight into whether herbaria data is a useful indicator of Pyropia spp. occurrence and how SST warming impacts the distribution.