Abstract PO-212: Educating the next generation of cancer researchers: Evaluation of a cancer research partnership research training program

Abstract

Abstract Background: The Temple University Fox Chase Cancer Center and Hunter College Cancer Health Disparity Partnership (TUFCCC/HC Cancer Partnership) is a collaborative effort to develop a regional comprehensive collaborative cancer health equity research infrastructure in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York City (PNN) Region and to establish rigorous and sustainable cancer research, education, and outreach programs at both institutions. One key component of the training efforts of this Partnership is the annual Summer Cancer Research Institute (SCRI), an 8-week intensive summer program that includes hands-on research training in laboratories or research centers under the mentorship of established investigators supplemented with cancer seminars, skill-building workshops, journal clubs, social activities, poster sessions and presentations. Methods: The goal of this study was to evaluate the recruitment process and the outcome of the first three cohorts of the SCRI. We assessed the previous recruitment and implementation process to identify successes and lessons learned. We also conducted program evaluation through pre-program and post-program evaluation, and long-term annual follow-up survey, and other formal and informal feedback among the 3 cohorts from the previous 3 years. Results: Through targeted multi-institutional recruitment strategies and by utilizing social media (e.g., Twitter, Instagram, institutional newsletters), the program received increasing numbers of applications each year, from 64 applications received in 2019, to 179 in 2020, and 345 in 2021. The number of students accepted were 10 in 2019 (admission rate 15.6%), 10 in 2020 (5.6%), and 15 in 2021 (4.3%). Among the 34 SCRI trainees, 10 (29.4%) identified as Black/African American, 6 (17.5%) as Hispanic/Latinx, 10 (29.4%) as Asian, and the rest as non-Hispanic white. Students come from a variety of majors, including biology, nutrition, biochemistry, bioengineering, public health, sociology, and medical geography. The SCRI trainees reported a high level of satisfaction with the overall SCRI program as well as the specific seminars, workshops, and journal clubs. The long-term follow-up survey data showed that among the first two cohorts (20 trainees), 4 applied to graduate or medical school, 9 completed graduate school, and 7 accepted a full-time or part-time job position. Trainees particularly enjoyed the hands-on experience in basic, translation, and population research, the skill-building workshops, and the annual symposium to gain presentation experience. Conclusion: The Partnership evaluation has identified strengths (e.g., hands-on research experience under established mentorship, multidisciplinary training) for implementing the SCRI program. Updates are being made to refine recruitment processes and adjust program components. Citation Format: Lin Zhu, Gargi Pal, Taylor Kazaoka, Rubia Shahbaz, Marsha Zibalese-Crawford, Sarah-Jane Dodd, Carolyn Y. Fang, Yin Tan, Grace X. Ma, Olorunseun O. Ogunwobi. Educating the next generation of cancer researchers: Evaluation of a cancer research partnership research training program [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: 14th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2021 Oct 6-8. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2022;31(1 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-212.