MHRT ScholarAt — CSUF - MHRT Program (ASC)

JOB DESCRIPTION  

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MHRT Scholars will: a. receive training in experimental research, design, data collection, analysis and interpretation of data, use of current literature and the different venues to publish results; b. be provided with opportunities to communicate their research results in the form of publications or submissions to scientific conferences (oral or poster presentations), c. have opportunities to interact with members of the scientific community in the place of training as well as in scientific meetings and other related forums like workshops

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TASKS  

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After completion of the research experience, the trainees are required to turn in a final report. This report consists of four sections:
1. a journal-style essay of the research project;
2. a discussion on some aspect of the ethical conduct of research related to their research effort;
3. an essay about a disease or health problem that disproportionately affects minority, poor, and/or underserved populations that has been researched by the student, preferably related to the location where training took place;
4. a report about the cultural and personal experiences outside the laboratory.

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In addition, each trainee is required to make at least one presentation, poster or seminar, in the MHRt Symposium. The trainees are also encouraged, but not required, to submit their research to national or international scientific meetings, or become co-authors in one or more peer-reviewed publications including their results. However we recognize that in many instances the short period of training makes it impossible to generate enough data for that kind of publication.

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PROPOSED TRAINING METHODS  

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The MHRT scholars travel to the institution where they spend 10-12 weeks conducting activities as mentees of the Training Faculty Mentor who is responsible for the scientific conduct of the work and for having a suitable project and an adequately equipped and safe environment. The Program Director has ensured that these requisites are fulfilled. In the case of the scholars that will be trained at international sites, they travel in the company of the U.S. Faculty Mentor, which makes the trip, arrival, and settlement a smoother process. The U.S. Faculty mentor, who is usually based in the same institution where he/she may have ongoing collaborative research projects, is in permanent contact with the trainees during the training period, makes sure that all aspects of the student research experience are in order, and deals with any problems or concerns that might arise.

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LEARNING OUTCOMES  

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The objectives of this program are: 1. To increase the numbers of individuals belonging to groups underrepresented in biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences research that pursue advanced degrees and careers in these fields. Our training program is committed to developing a cadre of researchers that possess a deep understanding of health disparities issues, passion for resolving them, and potential to be the future leaders that will spearhead new solutions; 2. To make these trainees aware of health problems that disproportionally affect the most disadvantaged and underserved sectors of the society, and to prepare them to seek novel approaches to address them; 3. To show these trainees the importance of national and international research collaboration in addressing health issues and health disparities; 4. To make them aware of the existing opportunities for research collaboration to address health issues, and reduce health disparities; and 5. To contribute to the reduction, and eventual elimination of health disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups in the U.S.