Future Deaf Scientists Program at Wilmot Cancer Institute

University Of Rochester, Rochester NY

Investigators

Abstract

People who are deaf or hard of hearing experience many barriers when trying to enter STEM graduate programs, health science professions, and research environments. Increasing such individuals in the scientific workforce is a recognized priority for both the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The dropout rate among deaf undergraduate STEM majors is alarming, with an average of 83% leaving their programs before graduation. This issue is primarily due to unwelcoming research environments, inadequate services, and mentors who are not sufficiently prepared to support these students. To address this challenge, the University of Rochester's James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute (Wilmot) has proposed the Future Deaf Scientists (FDS) program. This mentored research training initiative builds upon a successful summer internship program developed through a partnership between Wilmot and the Rochester School for the Deaf (RSD), a bilingual institution founded in 1876 that provides instruction in American Sign Language (ASL) and English. The FDS program aims to increase the participation of deaf students in cancer research and improve the mentorship environment for young deaf scientists. The program includes deaf competency training for mentors and ASL interpreter training focused on advanced STEM topics. Moreover, the FDS initiative seeks to establish a linguistically appropriate STEM and cancer research curriculum for deaf high school students, which could also be implemented nationwide. This innovative and tailored approach serves as a critical first step in strengthening the Deaf Scientist Training pipeline in Rochester, NY, while also advancing cancer research in STEM across the country. Ultimately, FDS students will acquire the skills and confidence necessary to succeed in post-secondary education and pursue careers in STEM, health professions, and cancer research.