Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) program

Rutgers Biomedical And Health Sciences, Newark NJ

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Project Summary. New Jersey has significant cancer disparities across certain population groups, which also remain underrepresented in the cancer research and healthcare workforce. Increasing workforce diversity is one of the key strategies for reducing cancer inequities. In alignment with the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) mission to train and educate a diverse workforce to reduce cancer health disparities, the goal of the Rutgers Youth Enjoy Science (RUYES) program is to increase the diversity of the biomedical, specifically cancer research workforce. The ongoing RUYES program at the Rutgers Cancer Institute is funded by the NCI grant R25 CA247785 awarded in September 2020. In the current funding period, we have successfully engaged 58 participants, including high school science teachers, high school and undergraduate students, in mentored cancer research, professional development, and community outreach since the summer of 2021. The outreach initiatives undertaken by RUYES participants have positively impacted thousands of individuals within their families and communities, ultimately bolstering the importance of science education and careers. This renewal application introduces new components and learning opportunities to further enhance our highly successful RUYES program. These additions are informed by valuable lessons learned and stakeholder feedback. In the next funding period, we propose a holistic program that focuses on student success, includes new research experiences in Population Sciences and Cancer Health Equity, a virtual Community Scientist Training Program, and partnerships with Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). We expand our approach to 1) Provide robust support to middle school and high school science teachers and undergraduate faculty in MSI and HBCUs, offering mentored cancer research experience and comprehensive help with curriculum development; 2) Actively engage high school and undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds in mentored hands-on cancer research, as well as provide extensive co- curricular and professional career development activities; 3) Create dynamic and impactful cancer-related outreach activities that actively connect program participants with schools and families in their communities. In our renewal proposal, we will leverage our experience and track record of highly successful pathway programs with excellent outcomes, a multi-disciplinary research environment, and robust educational and outreach resources of our Cancer Institute, the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Our strategically forged synergistic partnerships with similar initiatives across and beyond Rutgers will ensure that RUYES continues to expand on its achievements in preparing the next generation of a diverse cancer research and healthcare workforce.