Abstract
Despite a flourishing biomedical and global health industry [1] too few of Washington state's precollege students are aware of this growing sector and emerging ideas on bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses. Against the backdrop of numerous reports regarding declining precollege student interest in science [2], a precollege program was envisioned at Seattle Biomedical Research Institute (as of 2010, Seattle BioMed) to increase youth engagement in biomedical research and global health, increase community interest in infectious diseases and mobilize a future biomedical workforce. Since 2005, 169 rising high school juniors have participated in the BioQuest Academy precollege immersion program at Seattle BioMed. Assembling in groups of 12, students conduct laboratory experiments (e.g., anopheline mosquito dissection, gene expression informed tuberculosis drug design and optimizing HIV immunization strategies) related to global health alongside practicing scientific mentors, all within the footprint the institute. Laudable short-term impacts of the program include positive influences on student interest in global health (as seen in the students' subsequent school projects and their participation in Seattle BioMed community events), biomedical careers and graduate school (e.g., 16.9% of teens departing 2008–2009 Academy report revised goals of attaining a doctorate rather than a baccalaureate diploma). Long-term, 97% of alumni (2005–2008) are attending postsecondary schools throughout North America; eight graduates have already published scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and/or presented their scientific data at national and international meetings, and 26 have been retained by Seattle BioMed researchers as compensated technicians and interns. Providing precollege students with structured access to practicing scientists and authentic research environments within the context of advancing global health has been a robust means of both building a future pool of talented leaders and engaged citizenry and increasing the visibility of health disparities within the community.
Highlights
Teens from racial and ethnic backgrounds underrepresented in the biomedical sciences consider a myriad of intrinsic and extrinsic factors as they approach college age [3]
Global Health has been defined as ‘‘the area of study, research and practice that places a priority on improving health and achieving equity in health for all people worldwide’’ [5]
The BioQuest Academy immersion program is our most intensive student offering, with high mentorship, instructional tactics and curriculum that link the activities of biomedical researchers and public health specialists to the course work students need to matriculate as well as enter college and biomedical careers
Summary
Teens from racial and ethnic backgrounds underrepresented in the biomedical sciences consider a myriad of intrinsic and extrinsic factors (peers, family, educational foundation and long term compensation) as they approach college age [3]. Successes with University of Washington Pathobiology graduate student training and the numerous national reports on declining American student science and math achievement [7] motivated Seattle BioMed leaders to launch the BioQuest precollege outreach program within the footprint of its downtown research facility [8]. The BioQuest Academy immersion program is our most intensive student offering, with high mentorship, instructional tactics and curriculum that link the activities of biomedical researchers and public health specialists to the course work students need to matriculate as well as enter college and biomedical careers. Five years of feedback and evaluation data obtained from the 169 enrolled students indicate that intentionally designed precollege training programs that feature real-world contexts and strong mentorship influence student long-term college, career and advocacy activities and increase local interest in biomedical research. Candida E-testH plates and bacterial hydrolase assays are linked to drug resistance and drug development.
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