Enhancing biomedical training and diversity through a Hispanic science network

 描述(申请人提供)：拉美裔是美国人口增长最快的群体，但在生物医学职业中的比例仍然很低。研究表明，少数群体参与科学受到社会因素的阻碍(缺乏相同种族的榜样 职业发展信息和网络方面的差距，以及利用科学为其原籍社区作出贡献的机会有限。由于少数族裔代表人数较少，学术机构没有做好应对这些问题的准备。我们建议应用一个成熟的、充满活力的拉美裔科学网络，即耶鲁大学赞助的Ciencia波多黎各倡议，该倡议拥有6800多名科学成员，以加强对少数族裔科学研究生的培训和留住。具体地说，我们将利用社交网络方法：1)创建在线学习社区，缩小研究生与榜样、导师和具有相似文化背景的同龄人之间的地理差距；2)提供培训，解决共同的差距，并提供专业发展技能；3)使受训人员能够通过他们的科学为他们的原籍社区做出贡献。每年至少有40名研究生参加耶鲁-CienciaPR IPERT项目。活动将包括与成功的拉美裔科学家导师进行在线对话；主持关于学术和专业发展主题的同龄人小组讨论；以及关于成为积极主动的辅导者、通过个人发展计划确定和努力实现专业目标、科学沟通技能以及成为一名有效教师等主题的讲习班。参与者还将有机会通过发表科学文章或播客或参观当地学校来影响拉美裔社区。一年一度的会议将巩固社区意识，扩大网络和专业发展的机会。基于既定的职业发展理论和成熟的多元化干预措施，这一创新经验将补充机构研究培训 方案，预计将导致(1)增强科学能力的感觉和对科学事业的积极期望；(2)更大和更专注的个人专业人员 这些能力包括：(I)网络；(Iii)在重要学术和专业技能方面的能力；(Iv)作为科学家的社会价值意识。由干预前和干预后评估以及对照组比较组成的评估计划将有助于确定结果。从长远来看，该计划有望增加对科学的保留，从而增加整个科学事业的多样性。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Latinos are the fastest growing U.S. demographic, but remain substantially underrepresented in biomedical careers. Research suggests that minority participation in science is hindered by social factors (lack of same-ethnicity role models and peer support), gaps in career development information and networks, and limited opportunities to contribute with science to their communities of origin. Academic institutions are not well equipped to confront these problems due to low minority representation. We propose to apply an established and dynamic Hispanic science network, the Yale-sponsored Ciencia Puerto Rico initiative, with more than 6,800 scientific members, to enhance the training and retention of minority graduate students in science. Specifically, we will utilize a social network approach to: 1) create online learning communities that close the geographic gap between graduate students and role models, mentors, and peers from similar cultural backgrounds; 2) provide training that addresses common gaps and provides skills for professional development; and 3) enable trainees to contribute through their science to their community of origin. A minimum of 40 graduate students will participate per year in the Yale-CienciaPR IPERT project. Activities will include online conversations with successful Hispanic scientist mentors; moderated peer group discussions on topics of academic and professional development; and workshops on topics such as being a proactive mentee, defining and working towards professional goals through individual development plans, scientific communication skills, and becoming an effective teacher. Participants will also have the opportunity to impact Hispanic communities through the publication of science articles or podcasts or visits of local schools. An annual meeting will cement the sense of community an extend opportunities for networking and professional development. Based on established career development theories and proven diversity interventions, this innovative experience will complement institutional research training programs and is expected to result in (i) enhanced feelings of competency in science and positive expectations for a scientific career; (ii) larger and more focused individual professional networks; (iii) competency in important academic and professional skills; and (iv) awareness of social value as scientists. An evaluation plan consisting of pre- and post-intervention assessments and control group comparisons will help determine results. In the long-term, the program is expected to increase retention in science and thus increase diversity across the scientific enterprise.