RENAL5: ADVANCE Kidney Health: Student, Faculty and University Engagement to Advance the Renal Workforce and Drive Innovation for the Future

Abstract

Background: Kidney Disease (KD) is a significant cause of morbidity and morbidity on the rise in the U.S. and worldwide. A widening gap is developing between the present workforce and technology available to address KD and that which is anticipated as needed to meet future demands associated with rising KD prevalence. We developed a program - ADVANCE Kidney Health (Arizona Technology Development and Clinical Education Program for Students in Kidney Health), aimed specifically at undergraduates, to foster interest, education, engagement and research in Kidney Medicine. The program is supported by the NIH. We report on the early phase of this program. Methods: A hands-on program was developed based on four pillars: 1) science, medical and engineering education; 2) training in innovation, entrepreneurship and translation; 3) experiential learning, mentorship and clinical immersion; and 4) needs-based application and practical translation – aimed at producing motivated, trained and committed biomedical trainees interested in renal health and science. Undergraduate students were recruited as Freshman/Sophomores immersed in didactic and lab experiences, advanced in Junior year with increasing lab and clinical exposure and specific project definition, culminating in a full Senior Year Engineering Design Capstone project. Students were selected by a faculty panel based on interest, academic performance, and diversity considerations. Students were required to report and present on results and participate in science/medical meetings fostering increasing engagement in the field. Results: The program overall has attracted great undergraduate interest with increasing application rates, demand and popularity among engineering, physiology and computer science majors, In Year 1 of the program 80+ students applied with 4 students selected. In Year 2 100+ students applied with 8 selected. All students have largely continued in the program with minimal attrition, in fact attracting more adjunct students to join though related elective courses available. In Yr 1, 3 Sr. design projects advanced; in Yr 2, 5 Sr. Design projects advanced, involving 15 and 25 students, respectively. In Yr 2 individual research was submitted to national meetings including ASAIO. Conclusion: A multi-component engagement program aimed at undergraduates is an effective means of immersing students in the broad space of Kidney Medicine. To date it is apparent that students from a wide range of undergraduate majors find interest and a surprising “fit” into this space. A wide range of novel technologies and projects have emerged. Many have expressed interest in advancing to either medical school, graduate education or work in the kidney space. This approach to advance workforce development shows great promise for the future.