Innovations in Undergraduate Research Training Through Multisite Collaborative Programming: American Heart...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Science
• Undergraduate Education
• Diversity in STEM

Background:

• The American Heart Association (AHA) established the Supporting Undergraduate Research Experiences (SURE) program to foster diversity in biomedical science.
• The SURE program offers mentorship and high-level research exposure to undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds at five leading medical institutions.
• The program adapted its structure in response to COVID-19 safety precautions, shifting from in-person to a primarily virtual format.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the formation of the AHA SURE partnership and its adaptation to virtual programming during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To evaluate the impact of both in-person and virtual SURE program components on students' scientific proficiency and development.
• To analyze student-reported benefits and challenges of virtual research training and provide recommendations for future hybrid models.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative-directed content analysis was performed on student open-response survey data from 2019 (n=33, in-person) and 2020 (n=42, virtual).
• Student self-reported gains in scientific proficiency were assessed using before-and-after surveys for both program years.
• The study outlines the advantages and disadvantages of in-person versus virtual undergraduate research training modalities.

Main Results:

• Students in both the 2019 in-person and 2020 virtual SURE programs reported significant gains in scientific proficiency.
• Virtual program participants (2020) reported extensive benefits, including personal growth, enhanced research skills, and improved scientific thinking and attitudes.
• Notably, an increase in the 'Attitudes and Behaviors' category was observed among students in the virtual program.

Conclusions:

• The AHA SURE program effectively adapted to a virtual format, demonstrating the potential of hybrid training modalities for undergraduate research.
• The program serves as a model for establishing multi-institutional partnerships that overcome barriers and support student persistence in STEM fields.
• Findings inform the development of future research training programs, maximizing hybrid approaches to enhance diversity and inclusion in biomedical science.