Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
ABSTRACT The United States struggles to cultivate a biomedical research workforce that reflects the diversity of its population. This challenge is particularly striking in the field of diabetes and metabolic disorders, which disproportionately impacts racial and ethnic minorities and people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Workforce diversity is an important goal for social justice and contributes to organizational effectiveness through increased creativity, broader foundations for decision-making, and a sense of inclusion and belonging in the workplace. In the field of diabetes and metabolism, a diverse workforce is also critical for broadening participation in clinical studies. To address this problem, we propose a new Joslin-Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) Post-bac Program in Diabetes and Metabolism to attract talented individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue further training and ultimately, careers in biomedical research in metabolic diseases. This program will leverage Joslin and BIDMC’s broad and deep expertise in diabetes and metabolism and a highly experienced cadre of mentors who will provide participants with dedicated research experiences, mentoring, coursework, and professional development activities. The overall goal of our program is to provide participants with the scientific, technical, and professional skills they will need to pursue doctoral degrees and the inspiration to dedicate their talents to prevention, treatment, and cure of diabetes and related metabolic disorders. To effectively identify participants from diverse backgrounds, our program will partner with the Biomedical Sciences Career Program, a Boston-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing mentorship and career development programs to individuals from underrepresented groups and disadvantaged backgrounds to promote their success in biomedical science. We will also reach potential applicants through the online platform, Handshake and by working with the University of Massachusetts Amherst College of Natural Sciences Career & Professional Development Center and Harvard College Life Science Research Advisors.
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).
