Washington University SummeR reseArch DIversity ProgrAm iN Cardiovascular Disease & HEmatology (RADIANCE)

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT This R25 Short-Term Research Education Program to Enhance Diversity in Health-Related Research titled “Washington University (WU) SummeR reseArch DIversity ProgrAm iN Cardiovascular Disease & HEmatology (RADIANCE)” proposal is in response to RFA-HL-22-012. We build upon our extensive experience with two currently-existing programs: 1) NHLBI-funded “Programs to Increase Diversity among Individuals Engaged in Health-Related Research (PRIDE)”, which focuses on nationally underrepresented in medicine (URM) junior faculty; and 2) WU Institute for Public Health Summer Research Program (IPH-SRP) – Public and Global Health Track that has trained undergraduate and health professional students in health research for past eight years. Our excellent track-record with these summer research programs and established infrastructure allows for seamless program expansion and integration. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and Hematologic Disorders are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the US and globally. Disparities in diagnosis and treatment of both CVD and Hematologic Disorders are highly prevalent. We propose to recruit, provide training, mentoring and career development and research skills to undergraduate and health professional students (total: 12 URM trainees/year) who are individuals: A) from racial/ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis; B) with disabilities; and C) from disadvantaged backgrounds, through the following OBJECTIVES: Objective 1. To recruit, train, mentor, and engage a diverse URM students group with interests in exploring research careers, thorough a multidisciplinary approach necessary to advance research on CVD and Hematologic Disorders. Objective 2. To provide rigorous didactics, structured mentoring and hands- on research experiences that foster knowledge, attitudes, and skills in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research. Objective 3. To expose and nurture trainee interests in research, academic and professional development in CVD/Hematologic Disorders and to provide research experiences that will help inform future career and training opportunities. Objective 4. To prepare, under guidance from mentors and program leadership, a “capstone experience” summary presentation at the end of the program that synthesizes the trainee learning and research experience. The overarching goal of RADIANCE is to provide creative and highly relevant educational activities with primary focus on research experiences and mentoring activities for enhancing diversity of the biomedical research workforce. The goals of this proposal align with scientific priorities of NHLBI to: 1) provide broad CVD/Hematologic Disorders teaching and research training; 2) provide scientific research foundation for trainees; 3) ensure equitable & inclusive program access and participation of diverse US populations. NHLBI-funded WU Program & Mentoring Faculty will offer excellent experiences for mentees. We are optimistic that this proposal will help enhance the diversity of the research workforce in areas of importance to the NHLBI mission.