The Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training (MHIRT) Program at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) was initiated in 1994 to provide international research training opportunities to undergraduate, graduate and health professions students who are from health disparities populations and are underrepresented in biomedical sciences. The program aims at preparing the next generation of biomedical researchers that contribute to the elimination of health disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States. MHIRT serves as a critical segment of the education pipeline developed by the UCI Minority Science Programs (MSP) to interest and prepare underrepresented students for pursuing careers in basic science, biomedical, and behavioral research fields. Over 50 faculty members at the UCI School of Biological Sciences and School of Medicine participate in the training of MSP students. MHIRT students receive research training during 10-12 weeks in international health problems and diseases affecting a disproportionately large number of US-minorities at prestigious research institutions in Mexico, Spain, and United Kingdom. Trainees participate in original data collection in ongoing research project collaborations between leading UCI and foreign scientists. Research topics include infectious diseases, cancer, and neurological disorders. Training components include critical reading of current scientific literature associated with their individual research project, experimental research design, procedures for analyzing and interpreting data, written and oral presentations of research findings in national conferences, and their publication in peer-reviewed journals. Additional training components include mentoring MHIRT trainees through encouragement to complete current academic degree programs and pursue additional training leading to PhD degrees in biomedical sciences. Students receive orientation about cultural, linguistic, and ethical issues of trainees and professionals engaged in scientific research.

Public Health Relevance

The inclusion of underrepresented groups in the biomedical scientific workforce is critical to improve the health of the people of the United States. The MHIRT Program at UC Irvine provides unique international research experiences, in original collaborative projects, to prepare a culturally sensitive and culturally competent workforce that contributes to the elimination of health disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups in the United States.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Type
Minority International Research Training Grants (FIC) (T37)
Project #
2T37MD001485-17
Application #
8639955
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMD1-RN (06))
Program Officer
Arora, Krishan
Project Start
1993-09-25
Project End
2018-11-30
Budget Start
2013-12-01
Budget End
2014-11-30
Support Year
17
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$268,080
Indirect Cost
$18,080
Name
University of California Irvine
Department
Type
Organized Research Units
DUNS #
046705849
City
Irvine
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92697
Liu, Karolina Y; Mistry, Rakhee J; Aguirre, Carlos A et al. (2015) Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase increases complex I activity in SH-SY5Y cells via sirtuin 3. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 467:491-6
Sonego, Martina; Oberoi, Michelle; Stoddart, Jake et al. (2015) Drebrin regulates neuroblast migration in the postnatal mammalian brain. PLoS One 10:e0126478
Moody, Issa S; Verde, Shawn C; Overstreet, Cathie M et al. (2012) In vitro evolution of an HIV integrase binding protein from a library of C-terminal domain ?S-crystallin variants. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 22:5584-9
Peris, Joan B; Davis, Paulina; Cuevas, José M et al. (2010) Distribution of fitness effects caused by single-nucleotide substitutions in bacteriophage f1. Genetics 185:603-9
Cuevas, Jose M; Gonzalez, Michael; Torres-Puente, Manuela et al. (2009) The role of positive selection in hepatitis C virus. Infect Genet Evol 9:860-6
Diaz-Trujillo, Arnulfo; Contreras, Joey; Medina, Andrea C et al. (2009) Enhanced inhibitory avoidance learning prevents the long-term memory-impairing effects of cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor. Neurobiol Learn Mem 91:310-4
Medina, Andrea C; Charles, Jonathan R; Espinoza-Gonzalez, Veronica et al. (2007) Glucocorticoid administration into the dorsal striatum [corrected] facilitates memory consolidation of inhibitory avoidance training but not of the context or footshock components. Learn Mem 14:673-7