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The NIDDK High School Short-Term Research Experience for Underrepresented Persons.
Robert Rivers1, Keith C Norris2, George Hui3
1NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.
Ethnicity & Disease
|January 24, 2020
Summary
The High School Short-Term Research Experience for Underrepresented Persons (HS-STEP-UP) program successfully recruits minority students for biomedical research. While overall satisfaction is high, improving mentor matching is key for future workforce diversification.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Health Workforce Development
- Research Education
Background:
- Diversifying the health science workforce is essential for equitable healthcare.
- The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) established the High School Short-Term Research Experience for Underrepresented Persons (HS-STEP-UP) program.
- HS-STEP-UP targets African American, Hispanic, Native American, and students from U.S. Territories, who are underrepresented in biomedical sciences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the HS-STEP-UP program in recruiting and supporting underrepresented high school students in biomedical research.
- To assess student satisfaction with the research experience and program components.
- To identify areas for program improvement, particularly in mentor-mentee relationships.
Main Methods:
- The HS-STEP-UP program offers an 8-10 week summer research experience for approximately 100 high school students annually.
- Student selection is based on applications including transcripts, recommendations, and personal statements.
- The program involves research at NIH-funded coordinating centers and culminates in a symposium where students present their findings.
Main Results:
- In 2017-2018, 193 students participated; 82% were underrepresented minorities, 67% were female, and many came from low-income or first-generation college families.
- Ninety percent of students were satisfied with their research topic, and 94% rated the final symposium highly.
- However, only 65% were satisfied with mentor matching, with 21% expressing dissatisfaction.
Conclusions:
- The HS-STEP-UP program effectively recruits and provides valuable research experiences for underrepresented high school students.
- Student satisfaction with the program is generally high, but mentor matching requires significant improvement.
- Further longitudinal studies are necessary to ascertain the program's long-term impact on participants' pursuit of biomedical careers.
