Educational Pathways for Cancer Research (EPCR)

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The aim of Educational Pathways for Cancer Research (EPCR) at the Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center (IUSCCC) and the Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) School of Education is to provide cancer research career pathways for students from underrepresented populations in a manner that ultimately increases the quantity of and diversity within the biomedical workforce. This aim will be achieved by focusing on three goals: 1) Prepare middle-level teachers to provide their students with the prerequisite knowledge and dispositions toward medical research; 2) Provide high school teachers with integrated laboratory research experience and curriculum development opportunities to enhance their biology and cancer-related teaching skills and to create excitement for their students for science-related careers; and 3) Provide mentored, high-quality, cancer-focused research experiences along with didactic and professional development workshops to high school and early undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds to prepare them for medicine-, or cancer-related fields. To address goal 1, 45 urban and rural middle-level teachers will take part in professional development focused on project-based research activities, specifically highlighting cancer research. To address goal 2, using our established relationships with local high school teachers, we will provide 15 high school teachers educating students from underrepresented backgrounds with four weeks of laboratory research experience and participation in curriculum development activities that integrate cancer-related topics into the state curriculum. Relationships with teachers and their schools will continue throughout the year through field trips and school trips. To address goal 3, 30 high school/undergraduate trainees will be recruited every year to spend three months for each of two years performing cancer research. Project trainees will gain enhanced laboratory and research skills, including appreciation of the cancer research enterprise and patient care, understanding of career opportunities, and a long-term academic relationship with mentors. Program evaluation will periodically assess EPCR for meeting benchmarks and achieving milestones. Benchmarks include the development of cancer-related curriculum at middle and high school levels, advancement in the careers of middle and high school teachers that can be attributed to participation in EPCR, and our high school and undergraduate trainees pursuing careers in health sciences, particularly cancer research. Approximately 60 faculty members with research programs and mentoring training and experience will serve as mentors, and additional faculty will be recruited as needed. EPCR continues the success of our previous CURE program and expands the scope to fulfill the mission of the IUSCCC to educate students and teachers from diverse backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research who will become ambassadors for cancer research and knowledge.