University of New Mexico's CURE for Cancer

摘要/总结 回应社区对癌症发病率较高和新冠肺炎预后较差的关注 墨西哥的民族和种族多样化的社区，新墨西哥州（UNM）继续伞大学 癌症研究经验（CURE）项目于2015年启动。从那时起，该计划 培训了45名高中生（85% AI，任何种族）和47名本科生（51% AI，32%西班牙裔，任何种族） 通过追求大学和高级学位课程继续/完成教育的人，以及 正在进入科学和卫生专业的劳动力队伍。癌症和慢性炎症相关 疾病（2型糖尿病和肥胖症）是新生儿发病和死亡的不成比例的原因。 墨西哥的人口;包括经济资源有限的人和农村居民。响应于 NCI R25青年享受科学计划呼吁发展多样化的生物医学劳动力，治愈癌症 该计划建立在完善的经验癌症为重点的夏季研究实习和课程， 推进当前和新兴癌症创新和职业道路的知识。相关的榜样和 在建立科学身份的同时重视文化身份的同行网络被证明可以促进持久性。的 治愈癌症计划已经建立了网络，允许全州和全国范围内的招聘和培训， 美国印第安人，西班牙裔和其他代表性不足的学生。因此，治愈癌症计划是 独特的准备，以增加美国印第安人和西班牙裔在科学和地址的代表性 降低这些人群中较高的癌症患病率是一项紧迫的国家挑战。治愈 癌症计划的具体目标与新墨西哥州大学的总体目标协同作用 综合癌症中心，并将：1）增加参与和学生的持续性不足 通过有针对性的招聘，从高中到本科的癌症研究， 项目连接、跟踪和正式评估，2）通过以下方式鼓励癌症职业追求： 专门的课程，临床接触，以及高中和本科生的沉浸式研究计划 学生和3）从事新墨西哥州的农村和服务不足的西班牙裔和部落社区的科学和 通过为中学生和参与青年举办的癌症-STEM途径会议进行健康教育 大使。年度评估，学生跟踪和咨询委员会的定期审查，将评估 学生利益和计划影响。这些目标的成功实现，预计将增加 代表性不足的人口进入大学并毕业的可能性， 研究生/专业学校或癌症相关专业工作。此外，UNM CURE的独特之处在于 是它的文化相关的教学法与尖端癌症研究培训相结合， 西班牙裔和美洲原住民社区的需求。

ABSTRACT / SUMMARY Responding to community concerns related to higher cancer incidences and worse outcomes among New Mexico’s ethnically and racially diverse communities, the University of New Mexico (UNM) Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) for Cancer program was inaugurated in 2015. Since then the program has trained 45 high school (85% AI, any race) and 47 undergraduate students (51% AI, 32% Hispanic, any race) who have continued/completed their education through pursuit of college, and advanced degree programs, and are entering the scientific and health professions workforce. Cancer and inflammation associated chronic diseases (type 2 diabetes and obesity) represent disproportionate causes of morbidity and mortality among New Mexico’s populations; including people with limited economic resources, and rural residents. In response to the NCI R25 Youth Enjoy Science program call for developing a diverse biomedical workforce, the CURE for Cancer program builds on well-established experiential cancer-focused summer research internships and curricula that advance knowledge of current and emerging cancer innovations and career paths. Relevant role models and peer-networks that value cultural identity while building science identity is shown to promote persistence. The CURE for Cancer program has established networks to allow statewide and national recruitment and training of American Indian, Hispanic and other underrepresented students. Thus, the CURE for Cancer program is uniquely poised to increase the representation of American Indians and Hispanics in the sciences and address a pressing national challenge to reduce the higher prevalence of cancer among these populations. The CURE for Cancer Program Specific Aims synergize with the overarching goals of the University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center and will: 1) Increase participation and persistence of students underrepresented in cancer research from the high school to the undergraduate levels through targeted recruitment, inter- programmatic connectivity, tracking and formal evaluation, 2) Encourage cancer career pursuit through specialized curricula, clinical exposure, and immersive research programs for high school and undergraduate students and 3) Engage New Mexico's rural and underserved Hispanic and tribal communities in science and health education through a Cancer-STEM Pathways Conference for middle school students and engaged youth ambassadors. Annual evaluation, student tracking and regular review by an Advisory Committee, will assess student benefit and program impact. The successful completion of these aims is expected to increase the likelihood that underrepresented populations will proceed to and graduate from college, attend graduate/professional school or work in cancer related professions. Moreover, what makes UNM CURE unique is its coupling of culturally relevant pedagogy with cutting edge cancer research training that is integrated with Hispanic and Native American community needs.