Service to Science Scholars Research Program

Minneapolis Va Medical Center, Minneapolis MN

Investigators

Abstract

To develop innovative and impactful solutions for VA’s complex problems, such as suicide prevention and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, VA needs researchers from diverse backgrounds, especially Veterans and children of Veterans, engaged in scientific inquiry. This application is to continue the “Service to Science Scholars Research Program” (SSS-RP) offered by the Clinician Investigator Team (CIT) in the Mental Health Integrated Care Community at Minneapolis VA Health Care System (MVAHCS), which has a long-term goal of enhancing the diversity of the VA’s research workforce focused on the mental health and well-being of Veterans and their families. SSS-RP specifically aims to increase the number of student Veterans (SV) and military-connected students (MCS) who pursue VA research careers focused on mental health, which is consistent with the mental health recovery model that promotes the inclusion of people with lived experiences (Veterans in the case of VA) in development of new services. To achieve these goals, SSS-RP will continue to provide a 10-week pilot-tested summer research program to undergraduate and graduate students. The SSS-RP pilot yielded high student participant satisfaction, successful recruitment of SV and MCS and students from underrepresented groups in sciences, student-authored presentations at scientific meetings, and successful VA employment in research for some participants. In this renewal proposal, each SSS-RP cohort will train 6 undergraduate students and 3 graduate students in high-impact, cutting-edge Veteran mental health research. Each student participant will be provided a mentoring network anchored by a mentoring triad (comprised of 2 undergraduate students and a graduate student who serves as a near-peer mentor) and one-on-one mentorship by the CIT faculty mentor, enhanced with evidence-based practices for high-quality mentorship. Program components will include: (1) mentored research experience to promote participants’ research skills and identity as scientists, (2) effective mentorship and training in effective mentorship linked to positive science career outcomes, (3) structured, evidence-based research curriculum to strengthen participants’ necessary skills to navigate the research environment, (4) statistical and other education programming to increase disciplinary knowledge and confidence in research skills, and (5) community building and networking activities to expand students’ mentor and resource networks. Participants will be surveyed to evaluate the program’s short-term impact (i.e., pre- to post-changes in science identity, skills, and confidence) and identify strengths and areas for program improvement, as well as followed- up on annually for five years to assess SSS-RP’s long-term impact. All student participants will complete an independent research project and present at the Annual SSS-RP Symposium. The program has three aims: Aim 1: To expand access of undergraduate and graduate students nationwide, with an emphasis on SV and MCS, to high-quality, mentored research experiences focused on Veteran mental health. Benchmarks of success: > 50% of participants will be SV or MCS; > 50% will be students from underrepresented groups; and > 90% will complete and recommend the program. Aim 2: To bolster student participants’ confidence, knowledge, and intent to pursue research careers through refinements to an established and pilot-tested summer research program combining hands-on research experiences, strong mentorship and mentorship training, and an evidence-based research curriculum. Benchmarks of success: Relative to baseline, participants will report improvements in research self-efficacy, science identity, mentoring self-efficacy, and intent to pursue a research career. Aim 3: To increase the number of students, especially SV and MCS, who persist on pathways towards research careers. Benchmarks of success: > 90% of undergraduates will complete science-related bachelor’s degrees; > 50% will enter and/or complete relevant graduate programs; and > 30% will enter research careers.