119 Academic Innovation through the interdisciplinary (elective) course Introduction to Clinical and Translational Research (CTR) to increase the number of undergraduate students in Puerto Rico with the knowledge, skills, abilities, and opportunities in CTR

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The Title V project team is offering an elective course to teach the historical development of CTR, make a compelling scientific presentation, and use bibliographic databases. In addition, students learn: to write the research question, design a career development plan, protect human subjects in research, and the mentor-mentee relationship. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: The course includes a variety of educational strategies and activities that allow the student to increase their knowledge and initiate their interest in the field of CTR. Both academic semesters (August to December and January to May) are offered remotely in two-hour synchronous sessions on Fridays from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. through videoconferences, in addition to asynchronous activities. Invited expert lecturers and faculty reinforce the course content in each topic they address. In addition, course coordinators assign guided tasks where the students perform the work. Then, they present or send their work to the course coordinators for evaluation. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The course began in January 2020 and has had six offerings, including one in the current academic semester (August to December 2023). Its first offering was in the semester from January to May, and due to the interest generated in students in August 2022, it is now available in both semesters. From its beginning to the present, the course has included students from the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Bayamon, Cayey, Humacao, Mayagüez, and Rio Piedras campuses, impacting all geographic areas of Puerto Rico. The course has also represented an opportunity for graduate faculty to teach CTR to undergraduate students. Until 2023, 56 students have enrolled. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Upon completing six-course offerings, the evaluation carried out by the students demonstrates satisfaction with the learning obtained. The knowledge and skills achieved have led them to participate in CTR with the mentoring of collaborating course professors and starting a new professional development opportunity for undergraduate students.