Drexel DREAM (Diversity, Research, Experiential Learning, Aging Science, and Mentorship) Scholars Program

Drexel University, Philadelphia PA

Investigators

Abstract

Drexel University proposes to establish a robust and innovative program, Drexel DREAM (Diversity, Research, Experiential Learning, Research Skills and Aging Science, and Mentorship) Scholars Program, to enhance the diversity of the biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research workforce in aging research. This proposal, a collaboration across Drexel, is led by the College of Nursing and Health Professions and College of Medicine and leverages the expertise of nationally and internationally recognized faculty researchers across Drexel who are members of the Cell2Society Aging Research Network (Cell2Society), a Drexel Area of Research Excellence, and are committed to diversifying and training the future workforce in aging research. The DREAM Scholars program is built upon 5 pillars: 1) the university’s commitment to diversity in students, faculty, and staff, and health equity in the communities we serve; 2) faculty expertise in aging research approaches that span the continuum from the bench to policy in three key thematic areas: preventing and managing chronic conditions, enhancing active and purposeful living, and enabling aging in place; 3) experiential learning; 4) an innovative virtual learning community (VLC) where students obtain digital badges for mastering new knowledge in research skills and aging science; and 5) faculty mentorship for each DREAM Scholar throughout their undergraduate studies. The overall goal of the DREAM Scholars Program is to expose undergraduate underrepresented minority (URM) students to research in aging that spans from the cell to society and in the long-term increase the biomedical workforce. We will recruit and train 22 URM students who completed freshman year to participate in the DREAM Summer track- a noncredit full-time 10-week paid summer aging research training program and 38 URM students in their sophomore, pre-junior, or junior year, to participate in the DREAM CO-OP Scholar Track- a noncredit full-time 26-week paid aging research training program as their cooperative education rotation. DREAM Scholars will be paired with a Cell2Society faculty mentor to conduct research, participate in a VLC where they will learn research skills and aging science, recognize health equity issues in aging, be mentored to enhance professional and personal growth, and receive digital badges upon completion of activities related to reframing aging, responsible conduct of research, aging science, research skills, and diversity. The specific aims are 1) evaluate the effectiveness of the DREAM Scholars program in shaping career goals with an awareness of research into aging, 2) evaluate the effectiveness of the DREAM Scholars program in developing research skills for undergraduate URM students, 3) foster an awareness of health equity in aging research, and 4) evaluate the DREAM Scholar program implementation processes.