Abstract A068: Educating the next generation of cancer researchers: Evaluation of a cancer research partnership training program

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: The underrepresentation of minorities in cancer research hampers efforts to address disparities among minority populations. To tackle this issue, early mentorship of emerging scientists from underrepresented communities is crucial. The Synergistic Partnership for Enhancing Equity in Cancer Health (SPEECH) is a collaboration between Temple University/Fox Chase Cancer Center, Hunter College (TUFCCC/HC), and funded by the National Cancer Institute. SPEECH aims to reduce cancer health disparities through research, community outreach, and support for underrepresented investigators and students. The Research Education Core (REC) within SPEECH focuses on enhancing training and mentorship, including the Summer Cancer Research Institute (SCRI), providing opportunities for underrepresented minority students in cancer research. Procedures: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with accepted SCRI applicants (i.e., participants) and their peers whose applications to the SCRI were not accepted (non-participants) from four cohorts (2019–2022). Email invitations with a link to a REDCap survey were sent to 51 SCRI participants and 488 non-participants with the goal of investigating any differences between the two groups in knowledge and career goals. In total, 32 SCRI participants and 47 non-participants responded to the survey. One SCRI participant was excluded due to missing data, yielding 31 SCRI participants. About 70% of the participants identified as Asian, Black/African American, or multi-racial. Results: SCRI participants had significantly higher knowledge scores in health disparities (p < 0.001), cancer biology (p < 0.001), and cancer prevention (p < 0.05) than non-participants. SCRI participants also had slightly higher levels of interest in pursuing a graduate-level degree in cancer biology or cancer health disparities-related discipline (41.9% reporting “very interested”) and in pursuing a career in cancer biology or cancer health disparities (41.9% “very interested”), than the non-participants (36.2% and 36.2%, respectively), but the differences were not statistically significant. The two groups had similar rates of pursuing a career in cancer biology, cancer health disparities research, or teaching in academia. In addition, over 90% reported Of those who participated in the SCRI  that they “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that the SCRI experience had a positive influence on their plans for continued education (90.3%), increased skills in cancer or cancer health disparities research (93.6%), increased skills on scientific writing (93.6%), increased skills on presenting at a conference (100%), and had a positive influence on their future career plans (90.3%). Summary: Our findings indicate that an intensive 8-week training institute can increase students’ knowledge and capacity in cancer research, demonstrating an overall positive influence of the program on students’ perceived scientific skills and future career plans.   Citation Format: Lin Zhu, S.J. Dodd, Yuku Chen, Emily R. Kaminsky, Zhiqing Elaine Liu, Grace X. Ma, Olorunseun O. Ogunwobi, Carolyn Y. Fang. Educating the next generation of cancer researchers: Evaluation of a cancer research partnership training program [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr A068.