CHERP Cancer Research Education Program

CSUF/UCI-CFCCC Cancer Health Equity Research Partnership (CHERP) Cancer Research Education Program (CREP): Abstract The long-term goal of the Cancer-Related Education Program (CREP) is to increase the diversity of the cancer research workforce by training undergraduate and master?s graduate students in cancer health disparities- related research efforts, especially those from underrepresented groups.

This objective will be accomplished through providing education in the cancer health disparities field, including established facts as well as the newest research exploring the interrelationships of biological components, socioeconomic factors, cultural aspects, nutrition, stress, and the environment that result in certain groups bearing a disproportionate burden of cancer.

A profound understanding of the biological bases of cancer as well as of cancer disparities aspects such as differences in incidence, prevalence, morbidity and mortality, quality of life while on treatment, length of survivorship, and access to diagnosis will inspire students to pursue research career on these topics and result in a highly diverse pool of highly talented future scientists from different backgrounds.

The proposed CSUF/UCI-CFCCC partnership is particularly suited for this goal because of our ethnically diverse student populations and the high number of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. CREP will consist of a 5- term (undergraduates) or 3-term (graduates) path that will provide a comprehensive education.

The specific aims of the CREP are to: 1. Develop coursework paths and research experiences focused on cancer disparities and other cancer topics; 2.

Create synergistic educational components such as community building activities and travel to research conferences; and 3.

Establish outreach opportunities that help prepare CREP students to succeed in transitioning to higher degree programs and inform faculty and students outside of the program about the need to research and mitigate cancer health disparities. To accomplish these aims, we will undertake a robust association between the two institutions.

The educational paths will include instruction in basic concepts and the newest research on cancer and cancer disparities.

CREP scholars will also experience summer research training in a laboratory of their choice within a rich list of opportunities at CSUF or UCI.

In addition to the documented benefits of supplemental coursework and research training, CREP students will benefit from opportunities and experiences, offering them a variety of identity and community building activities as well as travel to research conferences.

Several outreach activities will be organized at CSUF and UCI to disseminate information about the program and the importance of cancer research and cancer disparities.

The evaluation will capture the number of students progressing through these activities, monitor their progress and relationships with faculty mentors, and track their future careers.

CREP activities will increase the pool of talented underrepresented students who enter the cancer-related research workforce in the future. .