Research Experiences in Childhood Heart, Lung, and Blood Science - REaCH LABS - Abstract Disease of the heart, lungs and blood are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality in pediatric populations. Children make up 22% of the U.S. population, yet the NIH’s $4 billion pediatric research portfolio makes up only 10% of the annual NIH research budget. The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Research Experiences in Childhood Heart, Lung and Blood Sciences (REaCH-LABS) is designed to provide meaningful summer opportunities for undergraduate students from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine (URiM) in scientific areas of interest to NHLBI. Each annual cohort will include 5 new participants who are eligible for up to two years in the program (yielding a total of 10 participating students each year). Our exceptional research mentorship faculty, representing diversity in both science and demographics, is comprised of over 20 PIs with current or past NHLBI funding or other relevant federal funding. Participants will be situated within a dynamic ecosystem of pipeline programs at Nationwide Children’s Hospital spanning high school research internships thoughT32-funded post-doctoral programs. The curriculum will include 1) an immersive summer research experience in a research team conducting NHLBI priority research; 2) assignment of a near-peer (medical or graduate student) mentor to support readiness for transition to graduate or medical school; 3) weekly Heart of the Matter research seminars providing exposure to active research projects and clinical careers; and 4) weekly professional development workshops focused on medical school applications, MCATs, interviewing and other relevant topics. Research team experiences will include meaningful mentored projects that build skills and produce a product suitable for presentation at the close of the internship. Highly qualified internal and external review boards will provide guidance on implementation and outcomes and a structured approach to follow-up will tracking of long-term program outcomes. To maximize our pool of well-qualified URiM candidates, this project includes a novel partnership with the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), the nation’s largest organization supporting African American medical students, and its undergraduate affiliate organization, the Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS). SNMA leadership and members will engage in project oversight, participant recruitment, near-peer mentoring, and panel presentations, serving as both contributors and role models. REaCH-LABS is committed to recruiting, engaging, and supporting URiM participants in a structure that supports their oft-times unique needs in a way that smooths their path to a biomedical research career. Our program design will generate well-qualified graduates who add to the diversity of researchers and research questions, promoting health equity for children and the adults that they will become.
