Bronx Einstein Training in Teaching and Research (BETTR)

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Hispanics are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population and yet they are underrepresented at all levels in the scientific community. According to the 2010 Census, 53.5% of the population of the Bronx was of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin. The Bronx-Einstein Training in Teaching and Research (BETTR) program is a three-year post-doctoral scholars program, which couples training in independent research with training in innovative teaching techniques and the experience in and guidance for hands-on teaching. Traditional training in research methodologies will be based at Einstein, and mentored teaching training will take place at two neighboring partner institutions in the Bronx, each Hispanic-serving and both part of the City of New York (CUNY). Our scholars will experience a diverse educational experience through mentored training at these two different types of undergraduate institutions: Hostos, a two year Community College, and Lehman College, a large four-year undergraduate college. Prior to matriculation in the BETTR program, scholars will spend a year at Einstein immersed in establishing their research project. During the first year in the program (second year in postdoctoral training), scholars will additionally choose a teaching mentor and develop teaching skills at both of our partner institutions while developing curricula, participating in pedagogy workshops and experimenting with different teaching strategies, such as co-teaching and peer- led teaching. During the second year, scholars will develop a course in collaboration with their mentors, which they will teach during the third year. Scholars will work to achieve research excellence by actively pursuing their own research projects, presenting at scientific conferences, and attending research-focused workshops, all of which culminate in the submission of a career development grant application. Scholars will share their research expertise at Hostos and Lehman through mentoring undergraduate students. In parallel, scholars are expected to gain teaching skills aligned with the learning styles of minority populations at urban settings. Additional events, such as Research Days at Hostos and Lehman and research collaborations among the faculty at all three institutions, will provide research opportunities for both students and faculty. The goals of the BETTR program are to enhance the research collaboration culture with our partner institutions, enable our partners to revitalize their science curricula, provide our scholars with experience and expertise as scientist/educators, and, thereby, encourage underrepresented minorities to pursue science careers. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: While Hispanics are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, they are significantly underrepresented at all levels in the scientific community. To increase the numbers of underrepresented minorities into academic science, this proposal is designed to promote the career development of postdoctoral scholars as science researchers and educators by partnership between Einstein as a research-intensive institution and Hostos Community College and Lehman College as teaching-intensive institutions, both Hispanic-serving institutions. The activities of postdoctoral scholar scientist/educators will increase the pool of capable undergraduates interested in research at the partner institutions. Ultimately, it i expected that this program will enhance the numbers of underrepresented minorities in academic science, who will, in turn, contribute research findings of benefit to the health and welfare of diverse US citizenry.