Mentoring trainees from diverse backgrounds in community engaged research to promote cardiovascular health - Abstract: Dr. Arredondo is a professor of psychology at San Diego State University with an excellent track record of conducting NIH-funded patient-oriented research. The K24 will provide Dr. Arredondo with protected time to mentor trainees from under-represented groups who are at different stages of research independence and to accelerate the translation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) into real-world practice. Through the K24, Dr. Arredondo and her team will engage in relevant trainings to enhance their knowledge and skills in sustaining behavioral interventions in community settings. The primary objectives of the K24 grant align with Dr. Arredondo's short-term career objectives, which include: 1) Enhancing her mentorship of trainees at various academic levels who seek to study innovative implementation and sustainment methods to improve cardiovascular health equity; 2) Expanding her knowledge and mentorship capacities regarding development of sustainable patient-oriented prevention programs using mixed-methods approaches, and 3) Engaging in career development activities aimed at accelerating the translation of NIH-funded community-based interventions into market-ready products. The proposed training plan and research will leverage an NHLBI R01 research grant that examines the impact of organizational-level strategies on implementation outcomes. The goal of the proposed K24 research is to strengthen the sustainability plan for the EBI. Dr. Arredondo and her team will employ a mixed methods approach to assess the effects of three novel sustainability strategies on sustainability outcomes, as well as their associated mechanisms of action. Furthermore, the K24 research will help identify market opportunities and enhance user engagement to promote scale up of the EBI, extending its reach, effectiveness, and sustainability. Data collected through the K24 will be utilized to prepare a subsequent R01 application for a fully powered trial. Accomplishing the aims of the K24 grant will accelerate access to EBIs in underserved communities while simultaneously expanding mentorship opportunities for trainees from groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research. K24 funding will enable Dr. Arredondo to meaningfully advance her mentorship and research goals, enriching the training provided to under-represented scholars on the conduct of rigorous patient-oriented research that reduces health disparities.
