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

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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.