Student Research Laboratory Core

Blackfeet Community College, Browning MT

Investigators

Abstract

Abstract: Student Research Laboratory Core Central to the development of any research center is the availability of research service cores to center investigators. Such cores can broaden investigators’ scope of research by supplying expertise they do not have but need. During the current NARCH funding period of the BFCC-CCM, students working in the research laboratory have produced 3 scientific publications (1-3) on interventions that impacted the health of Blackfeet community members. For these studies, students recruited over 300 study participants from the reservation community, drew blood and saliva samples from each participant, and determined the levels of cortisol and 3 different inflammatory biomarkers in the samples. These students also designed, administered, and analyzed surveys completed by each participant. In addition, we found that students, as compared to adults, were impressively successful in recruiting study participants. We believe their success was due to the high value Blackfeet people place on their young people, which generated community members’ enthusiasm for helping them. Thus, we believe that the expertise and abilities provided by the BFCC Student Research Laboratory will be valuable assets to BFCC-CCM investigators as services to broaden the scope of their research. In addition, we have found that the students who participate in the research and activities of the Student Laboratory are much more likely to continue their education beyond BFCC. Therefore, we propose the continued development of the laboratory through the Student Research Laboratory Core (SRLC). The goal of the SRLC, beyond the valuable training students receive, is to make available to BFCC- CCM investigators the scientific expertise the students have demonstrated in their record of accomplishments. Realizing these goals will involve accomplishing the following specific aims: 1. Train SRLC student interns in research ethics, good laboratory practices, and safety. 2. Give SRLC students and staff the required expertise to be responsive to the needs of BFCC-CCM investigators in acquiring laboratory data. 3. Make available to BFCC-CCM researchers the services of SRLC students in effective recruitment of Blackfeet community members as participants in research projects. Because many of the BFCC-CCM investigators will be early in their research careers, their ability `to utilize biomarker determinations and surveys as well as efficient participant recruitment will greatly augment the impact of their research.