Pilot Research Project Fourteen

Graduate training in cancer research and health disparities

Co-Principal Investigators:
Steve Schwartz, Full Member, Public Health Sciences - FHCRC
Hugo Vilchis, Director, Border Epidemiology and Environmental Health Center - NMSU

This project is predicated on the idea that increased efforts to combat cancer health disparities will require a cadre of scientists for whom this area of research is a priority. Our long-term goal is to contribute to the expansion of the pool of diverse and highly educated population scientists whose work will have an impact in addressing cancer health disparities, in turn strengthening the success of cancer research in the U.S. To this end, the primary objective of this pilot project is to continue to develop and offer opportunities for 1) graduate students at NMSU to obtain enhanced training in population-oriented cancer research, and 2) graduate students at the FHCRC to obtain didactic and practical experience about cancer health disparities. We will accomplish this objective through three specific aims:

1. To Provide Experiential Health Disparity Training for FHCRC/UW and NMSU Graduate Students. Selected FHCRC/UW and NMSU-based health science graduate students will spend two weeks in the Border Epidemiology Center (BEC) Experience, participating in ongoing BEC programs in New Mexico and in Mexico, including one or more projects funded by this U54 application.
2. To Provide Didactic Health Disparity Training for FHCRC/UW and NMSU Graduate Students. An annual graduate level class focusing on cancer health disparities, co-taught by faculty from the FHCRC, NMSU, UW, and other institutions, will be offered at the UW and NMSU (by videoconference).
3. To Provide Summer Internships at the FHCRC for NMSU Graduate Students. Selected NMSU Master of Public Health (MPH) students will work on projects directed by FHCRC Public Health Sciences Division researchers to enhance their training and strengthen their interest and motivation to apply to Ph.D. programs or work in the public health sectors addressing cancer.

For More Information

For more information about the Cancer Research Internship for NMSU Graduate Students, please visit: www.fhcrc.org/mph or contact Dr. Steve Schwartz.

For more information about the Border Epidemiology and Environmental Health Center (BEC) Experience, please visit: www.fhcrc.org/bec or contact Dr. Hugo Vilchis.

Information about the research conducted through the Border Epidemiology and Environmental Health Center can be found at: www.nmsu.edu/~bec/