Abstract
Introductory sentence with purpose of study: The Éxito! Latino Cancer Research Leadership Training (Éxito!) program was developed to encourage Latino master’s level students and graduates to pursue a doctoral degree and career in Latino cancer health disparities (CHD) research. Cancer is the leading cause of death among Latinos who represent 18% of the population. However, similar to under-represented groups there is a disproportionate representation at the terminal degree level. Thus, it t is imperative that the next generation of health practitioners and researchers is representative of the diverse U.S. population and that culturally competent solutions are implemented to eliminate cancer related CHD among all ethno-cultural groups especially Latinos. Brief description of pertinent experimental procedures: Twenty-five selected participants are invited to complete an intense five-day Summer Institute (SI). The SI is led by successful Latinx researchers and Latinx role models. For the week, trainees are immersed in intense interactive learning activities, presentations on succeeding in academia/research, on how to obtain funding and tips/tools for applying and overcoming barriers in completing a doctoral degree, specific for Latinx students. Ten, 6-month internships in Latino CHD research are then available for SI alums annually. Evaluation is done through change (“post-pre” SI training) in Social Cognitive Theory based constructs of academic self-efficacy and confidence in overcoming barriers. Alumni are monitored through acceptance and completing doctoral programs. Summary of the new published data: In nine years, 200 individuals have completed SI training and 49 internships have been awarded. SI training has been associated with a significant improvement in academic self-efficacy (p < .001) as well as significant improvement in attendees’ confidence toward obtaining a doctoral degree (p < .001). Internship experiences have improved research skills (p < .001). 23% (n=46) of alumni are enrolled in a doctoral program. Eight have graduated with two more anticipated this summer. Statement of conclusions: Éxito! is an excellent model increasing the pipeline of Latino doctoral graduates and cancer researchers. Despite differences within Latinx cultures, Éxito! proves that with a shared Latinx ethnicity, students encounter very similar obstacles/concerns in continuing their education, in part because of cultural incongruence. Éxito! is framed in cultural congruence. The application of which in academia is a key concern for under-represented ethno-cultural students seeking higher education. The cultural congruence components of the Éxito! model in are generalizable to other under-represented groups as well to model not only demonstrated success in increasing the pipeline of Latinx researchers but other underrepresented biomedical researchers as well.
Citation Format: Arely Perez, Daniel C. Hughes, Rena Pasick, Amelie G. Ramirez. Éxito!: Building a new pipeline of Latino doctors and cancer researchers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2019 Sep 20-23; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(6 Suppl_2):Abstract nr D043.
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