Sunday, June 1, 2025
6/1/2025
Enhancing Diversity in Genomics Education and Research (EDGER) - PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT The proposed project entitled Enhancing Diversity in Genomics Education and Research (EDGER), submitted to the Initiative to Maximize Research Education in Genomics: Diversity Action Plan (R25) program within the National Human Genome Research Institute, aims to recruit and train twelve undergraduate students each year for five years at Hampton University in Virginia. Based on the student demographics of the institution (designated an HBCU), it is anticipated that all student participants will be African Americans, typically under- represented in the genome sciences. By hosting mentored extracurricular and curricular education and research opportunities during the academic year and summer, students will focus on comparative genomics, experimental cell biology, multi-omics data analysis and career development skills. To contextualize the evolutionary innovation of exceptional bone phenotypes, students will have an opportunity to examine the genomes of multiple divergent species including the gorilla, moose, beaked whale, walrus, ocean sunfish, bowfin, sea lamprey and brown hagfish (Aim 1). Revealing key genomic regulatory elements will allow for the experimental manipulation of bone progenitor cells (mesenchymal stem cells) in culture using essential nutrients, antioxidants, phytochemicals, epigenetic regulators, and polyphenolic compounds hypothesized to influence bone formation in vertebrates, including humans (Aim 2). Extracurricular research experiences during the academic year will reinforce curricular training by pairing each student with an HU faculty member participating in the EDGER program and provide examples relevant to human health (e.g., bone formation, homeostasis, repair, and regeneration). Collaborators at the University of Vermont (a research intensive institution with a genomics core facility and expertise in genome sciences) will assist with genomic data collection, data analysis and student training. Integrating the skills and data acquired during the academic year, students will participate in month-long summer sessions focused on data analysis each morning (hosted virtually by UVM collaborators), and career development skills in the afternoons (hosted locally by HU faculty) (Aim 3). In total, eight faculty mentors and sixty students will be supported by the program to achieve the long-term goal of increasing African American representation in genome sciences (or related biomedical) research careers.
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).