Health, Air Pollution, and Population Initiative in Education and Science Training (HAPPIEST)

University Of Utah, Salt Lake City UT

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY The overall goal of this project is to train University of Utah (UOU) undergraduate students from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds in air pollution-related health research through a faculty-mentored summer program called Health, Air Pollution and Population Initiative in Education and Science Training (HAPPIEST). Since exposure to air pollution is magnified in racial/ethnic minority communities in the US, it is imperative to engage members of these communities—especially college students interested in STEM research—in addressing the complex problems caused by poor air quality and environmental inequity. Specific aims are to: 1. Implement a comprehensive strategy to recruit UOU students from underrepresented backgrounds into the HAPPIEST R25 program. 2. Immerse undergraduate students in a mentoring “community of practice” founded on an interdisciplinary, team-based approach to environmental health research, specifically as it relates to air pollution. 3. Utilize formative and summative evaluation to improve the quality and effectiveness of HAPPIEST as well as inform future undergraduate research training programs that aim to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in NIEHS-related research. The “community of practice” is comprised of four research teams, each with two undergraduate students, one graduate student training coordinator, and at least one faculty mentor. Teams will work on locally-relevant air pollution and health research, with the potential for interdisciplinary integration across teams. HAPPIEST will serve a total of forty undergraduates over the five years of the project. The program directors will implement strategic activities for student recruitment, research training, professional development, and mentoring. Using an asset-oriented approach designed to build on student strengths, HAPPIEST activities will prepare students for placement into competitive graduate programs in the environmental health sciences. The project is of great