Programs for the Training and Advancement of the Next GENeration of Native Researchers in Genetics, Ethics and Society

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Project Summary The lack of American Indian and Alaska Native professionals in genomic sciences today highlights the need for effective research training programs to prepare the next generation of Native students to be successful in their pursuit of careers in genomic research. Our Genomics and Ethics in Native Communities (GEN) Program is a five-year research training program for undergraduate and graduate Native students interested in pursuing questions related to genetics, health and society. Our program combines didactic and experiential training activities, together with indigenous and community-based models of learning, as a means for Native students to directly shape the field of genomics in ways that promote the values and perspectives of Indigenous experiences. The four main components of the GEN program include 1) a fellowship program for Native students to connect with ongoing training opportunities and research experiences both on site and within a larger network of supporting institutions; 2) connection to ongoing community-based research in ethical, legal, and social implications, 3) a post-baccalaureate program for students preparing for graduate or professional school in areas related to ELSI, and 4) a student research conference designed to showcase the next generation of student achievements in genomics research. Central to our proposed program is a fellowship program designed to foster collaborative learning communities for the advancement of Native students in the ethical, social and legal implications of genomics and society. The fellowship is founded upon a community of learners approach that works toward the creation of sustainable, supportive learning environments for Native students by grounding all training activities in indigenous knowledge and methodologies, intergenerational learning, professional indigenous networks, and the value of social cohesion. A priority for this fellowship, and the entire program as a whole, is to provide Native students with opportunities to participate in community-based training and research activities that are based in indigenous experiences, which is why every activity offered as part of the GEN program is a collaborative effort between personnel at the University of Oklahoma’s Center of Excellence in Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications Research and a network of indigenous professionals, Native-serving programs, tribal leaders and community members, and fellow cohort members. A primary outcome of the proposed activities is the recruitment and retention of Native student researchers in the field of genomics and society, but we expect that this training program can also serve as a model for more meaningful inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in the growing science of genomics.