Excellence in Cardiovascular Sciences Summer Research-Renewal

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The primary goal of the Excellence in Cardiovascular Sciences (EICS) Program (R25 HL92618 renewal) is to provide exposure to outstanding summer research experiences for undergraduate (UG) students of diverse backgrounds [nationally defined underrepresented (UR) minorities, disadvantaged or those with disabilities], focusing on mechanisms of cardiovascular (CV) diseases and CV-related health disparities, with an emphasis on teams science in translational research. While the program is for short-term research training, mentors and Program Directors (PDs) continue to guide former EICS trainees during UG/early post-baccalaureate years. The program capitalizes on the multidisciplinary CV research at Wake Forest School of Medicine (WFSM) in hypertension, diabetes/obesity, aging/development and cardiac, renal and vascular diseases. Faculty from Hypertension & Vascular Research, CV Sciences, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism and Precision Medicine Centers, and the Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity serve as leaders, mentors and Program faculty (27% UR status/60% women). The EICS Specific Aims are to provide: 1) hands-on mentored summer CVS research experiences fostering research skills development; 2) general professional development and networking towards completion of UG MSTEM degrees; and 3) diverse research career pathway information for advanced degrees and careers in the biomedical sciences (BMS) workforce. Measurable Objectives include: 1) research skills development, improved scientific communication and a research symposium; 2) CV and health disparities seminars, journal clubs, formal/informal scientific discussions to foster critical thinking; 3) demonstration of CV biomarker and non-invasive cardiac and vascular structure/function, blood pressure and autonomic function assessments; 4) professional development for general career guidance, professionalism, Responsible Conduct of Research/Rigor and Reproducibility to facilitate attainment of the BS/BA; 5) exposure to advanced degrees in CVS and BMS careers via faculty chats with Career Mentors representing diversity of interests in basic science and clinical research, UR status, science careers/fields and pathways to current positions; 6) matriculation into advanced degree programs by networking (graduate students, program directors/recruitment chairs, Graduate Dean for BMS) and guidance on applications. A sense of science community/belonging and satisfaction is fostered among EICS mentors and trainees beyond a single mentor/lab by common WFU housing, local transportation, social events and networking with other summer research program trainees. Outcomes (29 years; 328 trainees, 28 still in UG training): of the 90% of 300 students tracked, 100% obtained a BS/BA with 96% in MSTEM; >83% are enhancing BMS workforce diversity with graduate (34%) or medical/health profession (33%) degrees or technical/teaching positions (16%) without advanced degrees; ~15% return to WFSM as PhD or medical students, technical/post-bac students, are 12.5% of current WFSM URM PhD students and received 18% of WFSM URM PhDs in the past 4 years; 30% of EICS PhDs are from WFSM PhD BMS programs.