Abstract D036: Assessing underrepresented and health disparities investigators’ interests and needed research support in emerging areas of science

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: The Geographic Management of Cancer Health Disparities Program (GMaP), initiated 2009, is a national program funded by the National Cancer Institute’s Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD). GMaP Region 4 is a thirteen state region with over 800 members of underrepresented and health disparities investigators utilizing a multipronged engagement approach to support diverse investigators in their career trajectory including basic, clinical, population and translational research. Understanding how to support these investigators to be successful in new emerging areas of science is critical. Methods: Previous surveys focused on barriers to funding for diversity training awardees and feedback on the value of specific programs, such as travel scholarships supporting early stage investigators (ESI). This current survey focuses additionally on emerging areas of science, including: precision medicine, mHealth, implementation science and commercialization to better understand our members current research interest in these areas and the kinds of support investigators need as they compete in these arenas. This survey is being distributed and data collection and analysis will be completed this summer. Summary of Results: Our previous surveys indicated that ESI’s ranked the following services as “Most Beneficial.” Travel Scholarships – (95.5%); Pilot Funds (for feasibility data collection to support ongoing research) – (, 77.3%); E-blast with job/funding/training resources – (54.5%); Grant Review - (50.0%); and Introductions to CRCHD Program Officers in Training Navigation - (47.6%). We will compare findings from the current survey to determine the ongoing value of these programs as well as the scope of current research in these new emerging areas and the types of support and services required to build investigators research portfolios in these areas. Recommendations: Ongoing programmatic strategies utilized by GMaP Region 4 have been highly valued. The findings of this current survey will provide a deeper understanding of underrepresented and health disparities researchers’ interest in emerging areas of precision medicine, mHealth, implementation science and commercialization as well as recommendations on how to support their research in these areas particularly related to health disparities. Citation Format: Linda Fleisher, Carrie Norbeck. Assessing underrepresented and health disparities investigators’ interests and needed research support in emerging areas of science [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr D036.