NIH Diversity Supplement (R00-CA-256351)

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PROJECT SUMMARY Ms. McKenzie Reese is an undergraduate researcher at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) seeking additional training, mentorship, and career development in psycho-oncology research. This diversity supplement will support Ms. Reese to contribute to an ongoing pilot RCT of an adapted Mindful Self- Compassion intervention that aims to reduce stigma among adults with lung cancer (R00CA256351). Given the racial disparity in the incidence of lung cancer, it is important to promote full representation of African American patients in cancer research. However, African American cancer patients are less likely to enroll in clinical trials and experience higher attrition in longitudinal psycho-oncology research, as compared to White patients. As such, there is a crucial need to identify strategies that promote the recruitment, engagement, and retention of African American cancer patients in psycho-oncology research. In this project, the candidate will address this need by 1) assessing whether culturally-relevant messages and images within the parent study’s Facebook Targeted Advertisement recruitment strategy will promote research participation among African American lung cancer patients and 2) evaluating motivational factors that underlie patients’ continued participation in the parent study by analyzing qualitative interviews post-intervention. Alongside these research aims, the candidate will pursue mentoring and career development activities to gain fundamental and advanced research skills in psycho-oncology, which will accelerate the candidate’s trajectory toward a career in cancer research. These aims are aligned with NCI’s 2023 annual plan for breaking down barriers to clinical trial participation and the goals of NCI’s Equity and Inclusion Program. Successful completion of this project will provide the candidate with the opportunity to see a research project through from recruitment to dissemination, receive in-depth research training, and participate in career development workshops that will enhance her competitiveness and preparation for graduate programs in psychology, thereby supporting her long-term goal of becoming an independent scientist focused on reducing cancer-related health disparities.