Research into Action to Diversity the Biomedical and Behavioral Research Workforce: Overview

Abstract

Symposium Title: Research into Action to Diversify the Biomedical and Behavioral Research Workforce - Overview. Authors: Shine Chang, Carrie Cameron, Kava Lewis, Hwa Young Lee, Cheryl Anderson Broadening participation in research careers entails not only attracting and welcoming students to research but also retaining trainees who have embarked on the research career path. To enable this goal, NIH has provided funding to universities across the country to increase student interest in research careers. Such programs are mandated to recruit diverse groups of qualified students and typically provide mentored research experiences to spark career interest and also professional development that assists success in pursuit of such careers. Funded by multiple NIH awards, the Cancer Prevention Research Training Program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center uses a tailored curriculum of mentored research, bioethics, career exploration, and professional development to encourage and facilitate diverse groups of students to pursue research careers. This symposium aims to describe the influence of our 10-week summer program on trainees’ psychosocial cognitive constructs related to research career intention. The symposium abstracts include: 1) Research into Action to Diversify the Biomedical and Behavioral Research Workforce: Training Programming Impact on Career Intent and Related Social Cognitive Constructs 2) Research into Action to Diversify the Biomedical and Behavioral Research Workforce: Effects of a summer research program designed to address trainees’ IP feelings and improve their growth mindset 3) Research into Action to Diversify the Biomedical and Behavioral Research Workforce: Combating Impostor Phenomenon (IP): A Preliminary Qualitative Evaluation of a Workshop for Diverse Summer Research Students These findings will be interpreted in light of their implications for possible interventions to help sustain interest in research careers. Speaker bio:Kava Lewis, B.A., is a Program Manager in the Cancer Prevention Research Training Program (CPRTP) at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She earned her BA in Communication Studies from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin and received a partial scholarship from Texas Tech University to pursue an MA in Strategic Communication & Innovation. After relocating from St. Louis, Missouri in 2009, she joined MD Anderson CPRTP and began managing the program website, social media, marketing, trainee statistical data, and the postdoctoral and NCI summer fellowship programs. Her professional background includes healthcare, telecommunications, and information technology. She has research and career interests in social media practice, integrated media, crisis communication, and communication within organizations. Recently, she began working with the CPRTP research scientists and collaborators to evaluate growth mindset, imposter phenomenon, and career outcomes of CPRTP fellows. In her spare time, she enjoys acrylic painting, cooking, baking, movies/television, and spending time with family.