Increasing Diversity in Hematology: Training for Underrepresented Students

There are fewer individuals entering into the fields of classical hematology and pediatrics as well as positions of leadership. In addition, it is critical that more hematology researchers are trained to better understand the field and study diseases that are relevant to hematology in order to improve outcomes. We have developed an innovative, multidisciplinary training program in classical hematology with faculty mentors who have unique expertise and experience training students and fellows. The goal of this training program is to recruit local community college and undergraduate students to Stanford University to 1) obtain an introduction to clinical aspects of classical hematology; 2) participate in didactic lectures and laboratory experience in hematology research, 3) be exposed to ethics in research; and 4) explore career options in hematology. Given the declining number of translational and basic researchers interested in hematology research, a training program in hematology will be critical to fill the pipeline and ultimately increase the number of leaders in the field of hematology. In this application, we seek funding for 10 community college or undergraduate students each year to spend 8-weeks during the summer with a member of the training program faculty with expertise in hematology research. Students will have the opportunity to perform research in one of the 15 expert faculty mentors’ laboratories. Trainees will be selected from a pool of >200 eligible high school graduates from cities throughout the country and >1400 students from 26 local community colleges surrounding Stanford University. The funding will support the students’ salaries and supplies for the mentor. The students will participate in an 8-week didactic course consisting of lectures, workshops, and research seminars. Lectures will focus on introduction to classical hematology and various research techniques. Career development workshops for trainees include writing scientific abstracts, giving presentations, ethics, and preparing posters. Students will also receive “hands on” experience with appropriately matched mentors and their trainees, e.g. postdoctoral fellows, based on the students’ interests. There will be a poster symposium at the end of the program. The Program Directors and Internal Advisory Committee will evaluate the program annually. The External Advisory Committee will review the R25 program every year and meet with the Program Directors, Internal Advisory Committee members, and students. The R25 program will be evaluated by the student participants every year. We will utilize the strengths of Stanford University to recruit promising students to hematology research to train future leaders in the field.