Markey STRONG Scholars Internship Program (DICR)

Principal Investigator: O’Connor, Kathleen Program Summary/Abstract Kentucky has the highest rates of cancer incidence and mortality in the nation that stem from significant challenges associated with health, socioeconomic, and education disparities that are prevalent throughout the state. To address and reverse these disparities, a transformational approach to selecting, educating and training our next generation of researchers and medical care practitioners is needed. Most scientists develop their passion for research during their undergraduate research opportunities when maturity, knowledge and drive are coupled with the opportunity to explore science through research. To address these needs, we developed the Markey Science Training in Research, Oncology, Networking, and professional Growth (STRONG) Scholars Program as parts of a contiguous pathway of training with the purpose of increasing the number of individuals who are from groups underrepresented in biomedical research. This program seeks to create mentored research opportunities for undergraduate science majors from underserved backgrounds or communities most negatively affected by cancer health disparities, such as communities of color and Appalachia communities . Applicants will be holistically judged on aptitude for science and math, an essay of why they want to be in the program and a letter of support. We expect that by creating these opportunities we will tap into great sources of creativity that foster a stronger, more knowledgeable and innovative workforce in scientific research and medicine. Furthermore, the critical thinking skills developed by cutting edge research lays the foundation of critical leadership skills. The opportunities afforded through this program will build the critical skills and confidence that will ensure their success and allow scholars/interns to contribute their talents to our fight to end mortality from cancer. Diversity in Cancer Research Internship IRG Supplement January 2021