Cardiovascular Research Empowerment Workforce

University Of Miami School Of Medicine, Coral Gables FL

Investigators

Abstract

The goal of this application is to develop a research training program in the US Virgin Islands (USVI) to inspire the next generation of USVI students to pursue research careers in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and related chronic diseases. We propose an eight-week intensive summer research institute facilitated through a partnership between the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSM), the Virgin Islands Department of Health (VIDOH), and University of the Virgin Islands (UVI). Designated by HRSA as a high-priority health professional shortage area, USVI is a U.S. Territory in which 80% of residents report having at least one major CVD risk factor.  VIDOH is the leading provider of health care in the region but faces numerous challenges including a health care workforce shortage. Over 30% of federally funded VIDOH positions are vacant and 42% of funded public health positions are unfilled. Lack of data, limited research capacity, and well-trained research workforce are additional challenges to tackling CVD on the island. In response, we propose the Cardiovascular Research Empowerment Workforce (CREW) program aimed at increasing knowledge, skills, and motivation of USVI scholars to pursue medical research careers. UMMSM has long been a national leader in healthcare training with extensive research infrastructure and training expertise targeting learners at all academic levels. CREW will leverage UMMSM’s rich, interdisciplinary research environment which includes the Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Florida Stroke Center, and the Sleep Disorders Training Institute.  Aligned with the USVI’s healthcare context, the proposed program seeks to prepare a cohort of emerging student researchers to address CVD and related comorbidities in the USVI.  The aims of the program are to: 1) Facilitate immersive research experiences to USVI college students addressing CVD and related comorbidities; 2) Implement an engaging curriculum that supports meaningful research experiences, and nurtures trainees’ potential to envision a CVD-focused research science career; and 3) Establish a support network among participants, UMMSM, VIDOH, and UVI scientists to provide trainees with ongoing research and graduate school preparation mentorship. CREW curricula are adapted from UMMSM’s existing programs and structured as an eight-week summer fellowship. It includes hands-on exposure to CVD-related research, professional development, and continuous research training through immersion in a specific USVI-based research project based. In the five-year funding period, ~50 undergraduate scholars from USVI will receive interdisciplinary research training and mentorship and learn strategies to create locally-tailored cardiovascular interventions from evidence-based models in clinical and basic sciences. By doing so, the program will further develop USVI’s undergraduate research training infrastructure and promote locally designed research addressing CVD outcomes and related chronic diseases, serving as a catalyst to increase the representation of USVI scientists in the health care workforce.