Diverse & Equitable Student Inclusion in Research for future VETerinarians (DESIRe-Vet)

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1 Project Summary/Abstract 2 The main objective of the DESIRe-VET program (Diverse & Equitable Student Inclusion in 3 Research for future VETerinarians) program is to inspire a diverse group of qualified veterinary 4 students to pursue careers in biomedical research. The rationale stems from societal needs to 5 diversify the workforce engaged in biomedical research and benefit from the unique skillset of 6 veterinarians. The program design targets factors influencing career paths, such as active 7 participation in research and social cognitive career theory. The DESIRe-VET program 8 distinguishes itself by its targeted applicants, distributed research environment, team 9 mentoring, scope of research, and hybrid delivery of didactic content. The 11 week-long 10 program leverages established relationships between Western University of Health Sciences 11 (WUHS), the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, and the School of Medicine at the 12 University of California San Diego. 13 The training will manly consist of hands-on experience in high-priority areas of biomedical 14 research. The initial pool of experienced mentors in this program have active research on 15 chronic and / or inflammatory diseases, with an emphasis on their immunobiology. In addition 16 to research mentors, scholars will be supported by coaches with multicultural competence and 17 knowledge of educational and non-academic experiences of under-represented minorities. 18 Finally, the program will include formal and informal peer mentoring activities. Group training 19 will focus mainly on responsible conduct of research, scientific rigor, reproducibility, career 20 opportunities in biomedical research, dissemination of results, (mini- 21 symposium), advances in biomedical research (mini-symposium), and dissemination of results. 22 The format will include seminars, group discussions, panels, case-based sessions, and 23 workshops, available remotely or in-person. Mandatory in-person activities will include 24 orientation, social events, and two field trips. The DESIRe-VET program will serve a cadre of 5 25 students within the first two years of the WUHS-veterinary curriculum each year, including a 26 majority URM students. 27 At the end of this program, we expect scholars to follow responsible conduct in research; 28 provide a critical appraisal of methods used in their project to ensure scientific rigor and 29 reproducibility; be competent in basic technical skills relevant to their project; describe selected 30 research priorities, ; know career pathways available to 31 veterinarians in biomedical research; and have gained resilience and confidence in their ability 32 to engage in research. 33 The short-term outcomes of the program include poster 34 presentation at the National Veterinary Scientific Symposium and a podium presentation within 35 12 months of the program. 36 37 38 39 31 animal models including relevant animal models We expect most scholars to participate in the “veterinary scientist track” available to them until graduation. In the long-term, we expect that DESIRe-VET alumni will show higher productivity and retention in research than alumni of our current summer training and matched students who did not participate in research.