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Lack of access to cancer prevention, early screening, and treatment, particularly in low socioeconomic, underserved communities, are cited as substantial barriers to improving survivorship. Overcoming the complexity of this problem will require a larger, diverse, and dedicated workforce. Community engagement can lead to greater awareness of and both access and accrual to research. Encouraging trainees understanding of and participation in community engagement early on is one approach to curb cancer research related disparities. The current pipeline of cancer-focused healthcare professionals and researchers that understand, appropriately engage, and connect with their target communities and patient populations is dangerously inadequate. To expand our future culturally competent, cancer-focused workforce, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center has established the Cancer Research Scholars Program which is supported in part by a National Cancer Institute R25. The program offers to 20-23 undergraduate scholars each year, unique and inspiring paid research opportunities across the cancer continuum and educational experiences that included cancer topics, professional development, team science, and both cultural humility and microaggression training. Importantly, all scholars prepare for and participate in one of three community-engaged, cancer-focused summer field experiences offered with our community partners to encourage the supporting of and//or active participation in community-engaged research, education, and outreach in their future cancer careers. Twelve of the 23 summer 2022 Scholars were also invited to continue their research into the academic year either in-person or virtually. After year 1, Scholars and mentors completed surveys and on-camera interviews about the program highlighting the program’s successes as well as areas for improvement. Nearly all Scholars appreciated the community engagement opportunities offered and understood their value to their potential careers. Annual tracking of these Scholars will determine the program’s longer-term impact on the cancer workforce. Citation Format: Melinda Butsch Kovacic, Rachael D. Nolan, Melissa Loyd, Sharon Sauter, Karen Ramos, John R. Kues. Undergraduate cancer research scholars’ community field experiences encourage community engagement to curb future disparities in the cancer workforce. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 5527. |
