AIHEC Circle of Health Research Training

The AIHEC Circle of Health Research Training (CHRT) aims to educate individuals from federally recognized Tribal Nations in biomedical research through community-based education and training. Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) IPERT program, the project seeks to develop a highly skilled biomedical workforce by engaging Tribal College and University (TCU) students in health research. CHRT offers multiple innovative training activities, including Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) pop-up events, a Health Research Intensive Course, research poster creation, and video dissemination projects. These activities introduce students to hands-on research methods while addressing the health gaps impacting AI/AN communities. The program is designed to reach a broad audience of TCU students, regardless of their prior research experience, through in-person and virtual formats. Mentorship from experienced AI/AN researchers is a key component, providing personalized guidance to students pursuing biomedical careers. CHRT also collaborates with the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board (GPTLHB) to offer real-world research opportunities and disseminate health research curricular tools to over 500 TCU students annually. Through its innovative approach, the Circle of Health Research Training aims to inspire the next generation of biomedical researchers and create sustainable pathways to address pressing health issues in AI/AN communities.