Saturday, December 21, 2024
12/21/2024
The Enhancing UNderGraduate Education and Research in AGing to Eliminate Health Disparities (ENGAGED) Program addresses the shortage of under-represented (UR) scientists in biomedical sciences (BMS) research, particularly in aging-related fields, by increasing research and career opportunities for UR trainees. ENGAGED is a partnership of Program Directors at Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFUSM), Wake Forest University (WFU), and Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) that leverages collective strengths in research on aging and vast academic and professional experiences; a history of collaborative diversity-focused undergraduate (UG) research training programs in medicine, science, technology, engineering and math (MSTEM); pre-clinical, clinical, population and translational BMS research expertise and funding in aging; clinical experience addressing health disparities in aging populations; didactic training in aging-related topics; and seasoned team-led training program administration expertise. The ENGAGED Measurable Objectives, which remain aligned with PAR Goals are to: 1) Increase awareness of the unique health care issues facing a diverse aging population and the opportunities to address these issues through research, and 2) Expand opportunities for hands-on paid research internships during the academic year for WFUSM, WFU and WSSU students and during the summer for students recruited locally and nationally. Research and career mentors (~37% UR) serve as formal and informal counselors during and after the program and ~57% are members of established WFUSM-supported and NIA-funded centers offering a wide range of research in aging. Tangible and sustainable progress towards the Measurable Objectives during years 1-4 and early trainee outcomes include: 1) Paid UG research opportunities via in-person or virtual programming provided 119 total positions for 61 unique UR individuals during academic year and summer sessions, with 49% participating in >1 session (academic year Research Club, academic year Research Internship, Summer Internship); 2) New formal and informal aging-related activities created or revamped/updated for trainees across the three partner sites (Research Club, lectures/seminars, didactic courses, discussion sessions focused on aging); 3) Short-term scholarly achievements include 31% trainee attendance/presentations at scientific meetings and 20% published an abstract of the ENGAGED research; 4) While 26 remain in UG training (100% MSTEM), 34 of 35 graduated (100% MSTEM BS/BA; 29% aging-related degrees). Longer-term early career outcomes indicate success of graduates: 59% plan a future career in BMS research, with 56% of those in aging/health disparities research; 35% entered MSTEM advanced degree programs (MD, PhD, MS, health professional programs; 4 MS degrees attained) and 9 more applying; ~80% are in the BMS workforce and/or advanced degree programs. Thus, ENGAGED is well-positioned to advance our objectives from a solid foundation of promoting interest in, and exposure to, research experiences in aging/health disparities for diverse UG trainees.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).