Environmental Health Sciences Research for Indigenous Scholar Engagement (EHS-RISE)

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PROJECT SUMMARY Overview Environmental Health Sciences Research for Indigenous Scholar Engagement (EHS-RISE) is a 5-year summer research training program for Native American undergraduates at the University of Arizona (UArizona). It is housed within the Undergraduate Biology Research Program, the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, and the Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center. The long-term goal of this program is to increase the number of Native Americans in STEM fields. The short-term goal is to develop and retain a stable cadre of Native American students who graduate from University of Arizona with STEM degrees. These goals will be realized through the intentional construction of a research training environment that supports and integrates Native values for Native students pursuing a science degree. The specific objectives of this program are: Objective 1: Identify, recruit, and retain nine Native American undergraduate students annually for five years. Objective 2: Develop and expand trainees’ scientific skills and knowledge. Objective 3: Foster and sustain trainees’ level of engagement. Objective 4: Embed the program within a culturally relevant environment and learning community. These objectives will be achieved by addressing each of the eight pillars of the American Indian Well Being Model in Higher Education within the context of a rigorous environmental health research training program. Intellectual Merit EHS-RISE approaches STEM diversity from a non-traditional mindset. Instead of recruiting Native students into a program based on a Western scientific model, we have built a program that integrates Native values and builds bridges between Indigenous and Western science and knowledge. It is a model which equally values the contribution of both epistemologies. In this way, we are advancing STEM workforce diversity and inclusion by honoring and integrating the impact and influence of Native perspectives and values in science. Broader Impact A diverse workforce, in which the contributions of all members are valued, results in greater innovation, creativity, engagement, and decision-making. Our model supports the development of culturally confident and scientifically competent Native American scientists who will bring their values and knowledge into the STEM workforce, thus advancing science and innovation.