This study seeks to examine programmatic efforts focused on developing a capacity building learning environment as a pathway to genomic science for underrepresented minority students. Students participated in a survey (n = 51); a subsample participated in focus groups (n = 11) as well as on a pre-and postskills assessment activity (n = 17). Overall, findings indicate that the programmatic intervention has assisted students in several areas such as (a) creating opportunities in science fieldwork and research, (b) preparing them for graduate school, and (c) serving as a pipeline for science research and careers. Furthermore, focus group participants expressed that the program has assisted them in gaining concrete experiences in (a) science research, (b) learning about their options in science, and (c) learning how to continue in a science academic path. The program has also assisted students in achieving and successfully planning their long-term goals in science-related fields.

Arrhythmias are electrical abnormalities leading to irregular heart rhythms. The central nervous system releases endogenous catecholamines, which bind to adrenergic receptors on the heart and may increase the risk of arrhythmias.Patients with arrhythmias treated with â‐blocker therapy result in a significant reduction in the incidence of cardiac events, however, not all patients respond to â‐blocker therapy and the molecular basis is poorly understood in children. Previous studies in adults with heart failure identified S49G and G389R single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in â‐1ADR associated with the refractoriness using â‐blocker therapy.We sought to investigate whether these SNPs affect â‐blocker therapy in children with arrhythmias. We setup a pilot study to test non‐responsive subjects, responsive individuals, patients with heart diseases without arrhythmias and general control subjects. Polymerase chain reactions were followed by direct DNA sequencing covering the coding sequence of both ADRB1/2 genes. The preliminary screening process identified the S49G and G389R SNPs in the ADBR1, while a novel ADBR2 variant was also identified. We will need to expand the patient cohorts to reach statistical significance. Finding â‐1/2ADR variants in subjects with arrhythmias will greatly help understand the role these receptors play in unsuccessful responsiveness to â‐blocker therapy.

According to the U.S. Department of Education in Fall 2018, full-time faculty in degree-granting postsecondary institutions were ~40% White males; 35% White females; 7% Asian/Pacific Islander males; 5% Asian/Pacific Islander females; and 3% each Black males, Black females, Hispanic males, and Hispanic females.1 Under-representation is one of the barriers to success for African American and Hispanic faculty. Barriers to women’s career advancement from underrepresented groups in academic medicine, science, and engineering and obtaining external research funding support for African American faculty do not occur in a vacuum and co-exist with barriers to research productivity overall.2 This data establishes the necessity of increasing representation, creating more accessible research opportunities, building networks, mentoring relationships in STEM-related fields, obtaining a diverse scientific workforce, and ensuring the success of all underrepresented in biomedical research (UBR) trainees and early career faculty. The All of Us Evenings with Genetics (AoUEwG) Research Program provides training to support Early Career Faculty and Senior Postdoctoral fellowship in cancer research. This engagement program includes Evenings With Genetics seminars, where regional and national campus audiences will be introduced to research opportunities available through the All of Us research hub; the Underrepresented Biomedical Researcher Faculty Summit UBRFS), where summit attendees will take part in using the All of Us research hub and receive data science training and professional development; and the UBRFS Scholars Program, where conference participants will receive yearlong support after the summit, including monthly multidisciplinary research team meetings, quarterly meetings, and mentor support. The AoUEwG Research Program aims to increase research productivity among UBR early career faculty and support their promotion to the next career level. Citation Format: Debra Murray, Susan Fernbach. Improving early career faculty research programs: Underrepresented Biomedical Researcher Scholars Program [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr LB073.

Within the last few decades, there has been a steady decline in physicians conducting research. The U.S. Biomedical workforce is aging which affects improving health care in this country. As they age, we need innovative ways to increase the physician-scientist pool. Along with shortages of under-represented minorities in this field, there is a scarcity of people able to analyze biological data. In an effort to increase the number of under-represented minorities conducting bioinformatics/genomics research, the Human Genome Sequencing Center-Genetics/Genomics Research Education Training (G/GREAT) program created a bioinformatics mini course. The Bioinformatics Boot camp course offers an opportunity to learn a skill that will increase summer interns' self-confidence, interest, and proficiency in seeking future computational research opportunities. This study will determine the best training approach to accomplish this goal for the novice (non-experienced) student. We surveyed course instructors to understand their bioinformatics teaching method and G/GREAT interns for their perspectives concerning the course. The results provided value information that guided curriculum design for all future G/GREAT training courses. These outcomes suggest that similar courses aimed at clinicians interested in research could increase physician scientists to begin replacing those about to retire.