Strengthening the STEM Workforce: Outcomes from Louisiana’s Post-Baccalaureate Program in Applied Evolution
Abstract
While universities have traditionally trained undergraduate students for scientific careers, they often fail to equip them with the hard and soft skills necessary for success in STEM professions. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the ability of many students to gain research experience due to lockdowns, leading to a cohort with limited hands-on experience for their next career step. Training in evolutionary biology has the potential to enhance the workforce in STEM by equipping students with valuable, in-demand skills for a wide range of careers. The Louisiana Graduate Network in Applied Evolution (LAGNiAppE) is a one-year research training program aimed at strengthening scholars’ scientific capabilities. After a month-long bootcamp, participants work on independent projects under the guidance of a mentor, co-mentor, and near-peer mentors. At the beginning of the 2023–2024 cohort, a baseline survey was conducted on nine scholars to assess science-related skills, knowledge, attitudes, scientific thinking, confidence, understanding and expectations. A follow-up survey at the end of the program measured program-driven changes and feedback on programmatic processes. Results from these surveys indicated an improvement in scientific thinking, confidence, and understanding among scholars. Participants also reported a strong sense of belonging within the scientific community, and seven scholars expressed interest in pursuing careers in bioscience. This program effectively builds career readiness in STEM by providing research opportunities that foster positive multi-network mentorship experiences and build connections within the scientific community.
Keywords: Biology, Research and Mentoring for Postbaccalaureates (RaMP)), National Science Foundation, STEM workforce, Mentoring
How to Cite:
Salgado, A. L., Kelly, M. W., Brown, J. M., Mason, N. A., Wilson-Kennedy, Z. S., Little, K., Robison, S. B., Blackmon, B., Burns, A. R. & Lagomarsino, L. P., (2026) “Strengthening the STEM Workforce: Outcomes from Louisiana’s Post-Baccalaureate Program in Applied Evolution”, Bulletin of the Society of Systematic Biologists 5(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.18061/bssb.6737
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