Summer Research Program (SRP) (I01)

Veterans Health Administration, Decatur PA

Investigators

Abstract

Veterans Affairs Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS) strives for excellence in research and patient care. Mentoring and research training in early professional career plays an important role in instilling scientific interest in future healthcare professionals. Nationally, Hispanics/Latinos are underrepresented in research and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Puerto Ricans, also Hispanics/Latinos, have other factors that makes research mentoring extremely difficult such as lack of resources and expertise to pass on the knowledge and opportunities, among others. This translates to a less than optimal and lack of research driven care for patients in the island. VACHS is no exception to this, thus the great importance to create innovative and comprehensive mentoring program catered to the needs of both the future professionals and the Veterans that will benefit from it. The proposal aims to create a two-track mentoring program that targets students at different career levels, from undergraduate to graduate and professionals. One of the tracks is focused on clinical and translational research suitable for undergraduates and medical students, while the second track is tailored for students with or enrolled in a master program of public health or biostatistics. The proposed program is the only one in its class offered in the island, thus offering an immeasurable impact in the participants. One of the most important aspects of creating a funded program is that it gives the opportunity to local students that otherwise cannot afford to participate of such program due to them being under the poverty line. Providing stipend and housing eliminates the financial burden some participants might have and encourage their participation. The participants selected to take part in the program will have a one-to-one mentoring experience for the 12-week program duration and will be involved in a research project. In addition to the mentoring aspect, the participants will take part in a comprehensive didactive curriculum that aims to give them all the knowledge needed to perform successful research within VA. Since VACHS also aims to aid in the participants career formation and to ensure their success overall, there are some lectures and seminars that cover career development aspects. Another unique and important activity VACHS summer research mentoring program offers is a travel experience to NIH. This travel experience offers the opportunity to the participants to interact with underrepresented minority principal investigators that work at NIH, and they also get to learn about translational research. Another unique experience that VACHS summer research program offers is to participate is a novel workshop called The Hack-a-Thon. The Hack-a-Thon is a workshop where participants from two different VA Summer research programs, at different institutions, work in a big data project together. This activity aims to create a professional collaborative network where the participants learn how to divide tasks, work together towards the same goal, and leadership skills in a hands-on workshop. Once the participants culminate their 12-week commitment with the program they are offered the opportunity to stay working as without compensation appointees to keep contributing to their research project; therefore, offering a unique opportunity to experience firsthand work within VACHS, see the result and effect of their respective clinical studies, and envision themselves as working professionals in the system.