. In New Jersey, there are significant cancer disparities across population groups that are also underrepresented in the cancer research and healthcare workforce. To reduce cancer inequities there is a need to train youth from disparate population groups to pursue cancer research and healthcare careers. The goal of this program at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey (RCINJ) is to increase the diversity of the biomedical, specifically cancer research workforce. To achieve this goal, we will: 1) provide mentored cancer research experience and curriculum development support to high school teachers working with students from underrepresented backgrounds; 2) engage high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds in mentored hands-on cancer research, co-curricular and professional career development activities; and 3) develop innovative cancer related outreach activities that connect program participants with schools and families in their communities. Cohorts of science teachers will engage in mentored cancer research for eight weeks each for two consecutive summers (sixteen weeks total). Experts in curriculum development will support teachers in developing novel instructional approaches that are related to their research experience. Cohorts of students will have the opportunity to conduct mentored cancer research for ten weeks each for two consecutive summers (twenty weeks total). Students will receive co-curricular and professional development support throughout their research experience. Participants will engage in research and program related activities for 3 months per year for two years. We will recruit program participants from all over New Jersey with special emphasis on school districts with high percentages of students from underrepresented backgrounds. Faculty members with active, well-funded research programs and extensive mentoring experience will support participants. Experienced leadership team with track-record of developing, implementing and evaluating pipeline programs for students from underrepresented backgrounds, will ensure successful implementation of the program. Both formative and summative evaluation by an external evaluator will be integral parts of the proposed program. We will annually track the educational and professional activities of trainees for at least 15 years after completing research training. We will disseminate results from the comprehensive evaluation on the program web site. Additional dissemination will occur through articles published in peer-reviewed journals and through presentations at regional and national conferences, by program staff as well as participants. Our program will leverage the multi-disciplinary research environment, robust educational and outreach resources of RCINJ, the state?s only NCI designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Synergistic collaborations with similar initiatives across Rutgers will ensure that the program succeeds in training the next generation of a diverse cancer research and healthcare workforce.
The Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science project is relevant to public health because it will develop a more diverse biomedical, cancer research and healthcare workforce to reduce cancer health disparities in New Jersey and nationally. This project at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey will train, motivate and support students from underrepresented groups to pursue biomedical, cancer research careers. High school and undergraduate students will engage in mentored hands-on research experience, co-curricular and professional career development activities and their science teachers will be provided with mentored research experience and curriculum development support. Innovative outreach activities will connect program participants with schools and families in their communities to enhance awareness and appreciation of science education and research careers.
