CUBE: A Collaborative Undergraduate Biostatistics Experience to Diversify and Bring Awareness to the Field of Collaborative Biostatistics

项目总结/摘要 生物统计学是指数学和统计方法在生物和医学领域的应用。 以理工科为重尽管生物统计学的就业人数预计将在未来十年内增长， 代表性不足的少数群体，包括黑人或非裔美国人、西班牙裔或拉丁裔、美洲印第安人 或阿拉斯加原住民，夏威夷原住民和其他太平洋岛民种族群体，获得研究生学位 生物统计学和其他STEM相关领域仍然很低。投入教师和同行的支持和本科 研究经验被证明是至关重要的URM学生在STEM专业的保留，以及 他们对STEM相关领域未来职业的兴趣。目前，没有结构化的循证夏季 URM本科生有机会在成瘾研究方面进行合作生物统计学研究 学生尽管所有学科都是如此，但合作生物统计学家的作用尤其重要。 在成瘾研究中很重要，因为通常解决的问题类型，例如使用复杂的 研究设计、大量的知情缺失数据和研究脱落，沿着需要量化 复杂的作用机制或潜在的关系。本研究的具体目标和 教育计划是：1）实施为期8周的暑期课程，为URM本科生在 STEM使人们认识到在成瘾研究中合作生物统计学家的必要性;以及2） 使成瘾研究中的合作生物统计学领域多样化。由Lent，Brown和Hackett指导 社会认知职业理论（SCCT）概念框架，合作大学生 生物统计学经验（CUBE）计划建立在以下四个支柱上：1）入门培训 生物统计学; 2）R编程培训; 3）专业发展;以及4）合作研究项目 解决成瘾领域的研究问题。与经验丰富的合作伙伴密切合作 生物统计学家，成瘾领域的领先专家，同行和研究生导师，参与者将 有机会了解沟通和协作的挑战， 在多学科团队科学环境中的研究人员。这些活动为以下活动奠定了基础： 参加者有信心和知识，适用于，并成功地在研究生院和职业生涯， 生物统计学和/或成瘾研究。CUBE参与者将：完善他们的统计沟通， 通过在研究研讨会上展示他们的研究项目成果来展示技能;从参与中受益 在研究生院申请准备活动;提供一年的会员资格，美国 统计协会，从而扩大其专业网络和机会;鼓励 参加学术会议，提供与其他本科生和研究生建立联系的机会 学生，以及教师导师，有类似的兴趣。

Project Summary/Abstract Biostatistics refers the application of mathematical and statistical methods to the biological and medical sciences. Although employment in biostatistics is expected to grow over the next ten years, the percentage of underrepresented minorities (URM), including Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander ethnic groups, earning graduate degrees in biostatistics and other STEM-related fields remains low. Invested faculty and peer support and undergraduate research experiences are shown to be critical to the retention of URM students in STEM majors, as well as their interest in future careers in STEM-related fields. Currently, no structured evidence-based summer research opportunities in collaborative biostatistics specific to addiction research exist for URM undergraduate students. Although generally true for all disciplines, the role of a collaborative biostatistician is particularly important in addiction research given the types of problems commonly addressed, such as the use of complex study designs, large amounts of informed missing data and study dropout, along with the need to quantify complex mechanisms of action or underlying relationships. The specific aims of this proposed research and education program are to: 1) implement an 8-week summer program for URM undergraduate students in STEM that generates awareness of the necessity for collaborative biostatisticians in addiction research; and 2) diversify the field of collaborative biostatistics in addiction research. Guided by Lent, Brown, and Hackett’s (1994) Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) conceptual framework, the Collaborative Undergraduate Biostatistics Experience (CUBE) program is built on the following four pillars: 1) training in introductory biostatistics; 2) training in R programming; 3) professional development; and 4) a collaborative research project addressing research questions in the area of addiction. Working closely with experienced collaborative biostatisticians, leading experts in the areas of addiction, peer and graduate student mentors, participants will be provided the opportunity to learn about the challenges of communicating and working collaboratively with researchers in a multi-disciplinary team science environment. These activities provide a foundation for participants to have the confidence and knowledge to apply to, and succeed in, graduate school and careers in biostatistics and/or addiction research. CUBE participants will: refine their statistical communication and presentation skills by presenting their research project findings at research symposiums; benefit from engaging in graduate school application preparation activities; be provided with a one-year membership to the American Statistical Association (ASA), and thus expand their professional network and opportunities; be encouraged to attend an academic conference, providing an opportunity to network with other undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty mentors, with similar interests.