Rise to the Challenge Bridge to Health Informatics and Bioinformatics - The mission of the Rise to the Challenge Bridge to Health and Bioinformatics program is
to continue providing the skills and resources for El Paso Community College (EPCC) students
to successfully transfer to the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), graduate with a
baccalaureate degree, and enter the biomedical research workforce and/or pursue a graduate
degree. The goals of the proposed program are to; 1) provide talented EPCC students with the
tools to succeed and excel in their freshman and sophomore-level Biology, Chemistry, and
Mathematics courses; 2) strengthen the data science knowledge and awareness of EPCC
students and faculty; 3) increase the number of minority and disadvantaged students that transfer
to UTEP with the skills necessary to graduate with a baccalaureate degree in Biomedical or Health
Sciences; 4) provide the opportunity for students to earn certificates that will allow them to enter
the data science workforce with special emphasis in Bioinformatics and Health Informatics; and
5) guide students through the pathway to a biomedical research career by preparing them early
for attainment of advanced degrees.
The specific objectives are to; 1) continue enriching EPCC Biology and Chemistry
courses, as well as pilot Computer and Health Sciences courses with proven interventions
including Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE) projects and curriculum
modules developed in collaboration with, and using the resources of the Genomics Data Science
Community Network, UTEP ‘s Gaining Equity in Training for Public Health Informatics and
Technology Program, and other UTEP resources, 2) continue implementing Supplemental
Instruction in Chemistry and Mathematics courses, and 3) provide comprehensive year-round
research training experiences for EPCC students, which include special emphasis in developing
Research Interns’ data science skills, awareness of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics
research careers, and a clear pathway to the baccalaureate degree and beyond. In addition to
the ten Research Interns per year, through our CURE and SI Programs, we expect to enhance
research, data science skills and provide career awareness of Bioinformatics and Health
Informatics career options to a total of 3,000 students in the five years. At the end of the 5-year
funding period, and based on the current five-year R25 Bridge accomplishments, we expect that
85% of the Research Interns will transfer to UTEP, 60% will have graduated with a Baccalaureate
degree, and the rest will be on a clear pathway to degree attainment.
