Cardiovascular Research Empowerment Workforce

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Abstract The goal of this application is to develop a research training program in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) that inspires a new generation of underrepresented minority (URM) students to pursue research careers targeting cardiovascular health. We propose an eight-week intensive summer research institute delivered in partnership between the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSM), Virgin Islands Department of Health (VIDOH), and University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), a historically Black College and University. A HRSA- designated Health Professional Shortage Area, USVI is a culturally-distinct Black region that disproportionately suffers from CVD, with 80% of USVI residents reporting at least one major CVD risk factor. VIDOH, the region's leading healthcare system, faces numerous challenges including an inadequate health system infrastructure and diminishing healthcare workforce. Over 30% of federally funded VIDOH positions are vacant and 42% of funded public health positions are unfilled. Lack of data, limited research capacity, and flight of skilled human capital further exacerbate these challenges. In response, we propose the Cardiovascular Research Empowerment Workforce (CREW) program aimed at increasing knowledge, skills, and motivation of URM scholars to pursue research careers. UMMSM is a national leader in URM training with an extensive research infrastructure and training expertise targeting learners at all academic levels. Aligned with the USVI’s healthcare context, CREW will leverage UMMSM’s rich, interdisciplinary research environment to prepare a cohort of emerging URM researchers to address CVD and related disparities in the USVI. The aims of the program are to: 1) facilitate immersive research experiences for USVI college students addressing CVD and related disparities; 2) implement an engaging curriculum that supports meaningful research experiences and nurtures trainee potential to envision a CVD-focused research career; and 3) establish a support network among trainees and CREW mentors for ongoing mentorship, research collaboration, and grad school preparation. Adapted from UMMSM’s existing URM pipeline programs, CREW curricula will draw from UM research centers, including the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Translational Sleep Center, Office of Diversity, and Florida Stroke Center. During the eight-week experience, CREW scholars will receive hands-on exposure to CVD-related research, professional development, and continuous research training through immersion in a specific USVI-based research project. In the five-year funding period, 50 URM scholars from USVI will receive mentorship and learn strategies to create culturally-tailored cardiovascular interventions from evidence-based models in clinical and basic sciences. By doing so, the program will further develop USVI’s undergraduate research training infrastructure and promote locally designed research addressing CVD disparities, serving as a catalyst to increase the representation of USVI scientists in the healthcare workforce.