U-RISE at the University of Alaska Fairbanks

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Project Summary/Abstract: Currently the biomedical workforce does not reflect the general US population, as several groups are underrepresented, including American Indians, Alaska Natives (AI/AN), and those from rural backgrounds. Based on the student body in Alaska, in our U-RISE Alaska program we will focus on engaging underrepresented students by providing meaningful research experiences through the One Health paradigm. One Health postulates that human, animal, and environmental health are inextricably linked – the health of each is dependent upon the others. This approach combined with holistic mentoring will support high achieving students from diverse backgrounds, especially Indigenous and rural students on their paths to doctoral level biomedical research careers. Building on experiences in our Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) program we will collaborate with the UAF Honors College to identify high achieving students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. The One Health approach resonates with students from rural areas where a subsistence lifestyle is common and links humans closely to the environment through nutrition, economy, lifestyle, and culture. The One Health approach also aligns with a wider, more holistic, definition of health prevalent in many Indigenous communities, within and outside Alaska. Holistic advising beyond research and academics addresses many concerns our students express about family obligations and other non-academic challenges to adjust to college life. We will also develop these approaches through building a culturally relevant community that will support students in clearing hurdles that often challenge their progress throughout their academic careers. Through this approach we will train students in rigorous research through mentored research experiences, provide summer research experiences at research intensive institutions through a collaboration with Colorado State University, and provide information and support for career development in biomedical research careers. This approach will increase competitiveness of our students and increase the participation of Alaska Native and rural students in the biomedical research workforce. This outcome will be measurable through increased entrance of our U-RISE Scholars into doctoral level biomedical research graduate programs. Ten students per year will be recruited as rising sophomores and supported for three years. They will conduct research under the One Health paradigm which encompasses a wide field of disciplines from cell biology and molecular biology to landscape level environmental health issues and epidemiology.