Full Research Project Seven
Undergraduate student training in cancer research
Co-Principal Investigators:
Gloria Coronado, Assistant Member, Public Health Sciences and Karen Peterson, Associate, Human Biology - FHCRC
Mary O'Connell, Professor, Plant and Environmental Sciences and Michele Shuster, Assistant Professor, Biology - NMSU
There is a severe shortage of well-trained diverse scientists capable of conducting research on the disparate incidence and mortality from cancer. The traditionally low representation of many diverse members in scientific disciplines affects the delivery of education and resources to targeted communities. Further, the presence of few minorities in high level scientific careers reduces the availability of role models and mentors for under-represented populations. Without diverse role models and leaders, it is difficult to provide positive messages regarding the importance of cancer research, cancer prevention, and cancer treatment. Thus, a need exists to recruit and train diverse students for careers in cancer control research.
New Mexico State University (NMSU) and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) have established a collaborative training and education program whose primary goal is to enhance training and educational opportunities in cancer research for NMSU undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students.
Specifically we propose to:
- Adapt and implement a cancer research training program for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students at NMSU. The components of this aim are to:
- Evaluate the summer internship program that was carried out as part of the U56 grant;
- Adapt and implement the summer internship program at FHCRC for NMSU undergraduate students (initiated as part of U56 grant); and
- Develop and implement a year-long research training program for NMSU post-baccalaureate students at FHCRC.
- Enhance cancer knowledge of undergraduate students at NMSU by implementing a cancer education program. The components of this aim are to:
- Develop a Cancer Teaching Fellows program to enhance the cancer education of NMSU undergraduates and provide training in diversity and classroom teaching to FHCRC post-doctoral fellows;
- Continue to offer a cancer biology course using an instructional team comprising NMSU faculty, FHCRC investigators and Cancer Teaching Fellows; and
- c. Continue to develop and disseminate cancer-related seminars and lectures to NMSU using video-conferencing technology.
The proposed application will build upon the pilot training program of the U56 grant (Cancer Research Internship Program for Under-represented Minority Students) and the pilot education project of the U56 grant (Courses to Enhance the Undergraduate Cancer Curriculum at NMSU). The proposed U54 project aims to adapt and expand the successful components of the two U56 projects and to offer additional components deemed important to the successful education or training of NMSU students in cancer research.
We aim to increase the diversity of cancer research scientists by providing undergraduate students and recent baccalaureates with opportunities for mentored cancer research experiences, career development and coursework that are critical to their career success. By enriching the research experiences of these individuals, we hope to increase the number that enrolls in graduate degree programs.
The proposed education and training program will offer benefits to faculty and students at both institutions. NMSU students will benefit from expanded opportunities to learn about and engage in cancer research. Post-doctoral fellows at FHCRC will strengthen their teaching experience and gain experience in teaching a diverse student body.
For More Information:
Faculty and students interested in learning more about internship opportunities for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students may visit: (hyperlink to the Internship/Training Opportunities for Undergraduate students page) or contact Dr. Gloria Coronado or Dr. Karen Peterson at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Inquiries for faculty at New Mexico State University may be directed to Dr. Mary O'Connell or Dr. Michele Shuster.
1100 Fairview Ave. N. PO Box 19024 Seattle, WA 98109
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