Journal of Clinical and Translational Science (Apr 2024)

97 BUILD EXITO: a successful collaborative training program for STEM undergraduates to improve workforce diversity

  • De’Sha Wolf,
  • Thomas Keller,
  • Matt Honore,
  • Shandee Dixon,
  • Cynthia Morris

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/cts.2024.95
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8
pp. 26 – 27

Abstract

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OBJECTIVES/GOALS: To truly improve health equity and accessibility, we must develop a diverse and inclusive workforce. The BUILD EXITO program developed as a collaboration between a network of undergraduate programs and a CTSA hub and now has become a sustainable resource that will outlive NIH funding. We will disseminate our successful model. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: The BUILD EXITO program has completed 10 years of NIH funding, a partnership between OCTRI and Portland State University (PSU), to create a new model of research training for underrepresented and disadvantaged students. This model provides an opportunity to learn about clinical and translational research academic careers; participate in a research enhancement and professional development curriculum;have a long-term authentic research experience; and receive enhanced mentorship. BUILD EXITO includes PSU, and local and 3 US Pacific territory 2-year colleges. We have developed a sustainable plan that includes these core elements after NIH support for the program ends. We have tracked long-term student outcomes for entry into graduate programs and the research workforce. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: We will describe the experimental model and the network of university and community colleges in BUILD EXITO, including PSU, U of Alaska, and colleges in US territories of Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa. All these universities and colleges have high proportions of underrepresented and disadvantaged students. We will present data on characteristics of the >600 students who have participated in BUILD EXITO to demonstrate the diversity of the cohort. We will also describe 4-year degree completion, engagement in the research workforce, and entry into graduate or professional programs. We will show how this has positively affected faculty inclusion of students in research, institutional policies at the 2-year and 4-year programs, and how this model has become sustainable. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: The BUILD EXITO program developed as a collaboration of the CTSA hub at OHSU and a highly diverse undergraduate programs. We have developed a successful model for training a diverse research workforce and will disseminate this sustainable model.