Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) Program

Information

  • Research Project
  • 10204033
  • ApplicationId
    10204033
  • Core Project Number
    RL5GM118990
  • Full Project Number
    5RL5GM118990-08
  • Serial Number
    118990
  • FOA Number
    RFA-RM-18-006
  • Sub Project Id
  • Project Start Date
    9/26/2014 - 10 years ago
  • Project End Date
    6/30/2024 - 6 months ago
  • Program Officer Name
    FALCON-MORALES, EDGARDO
  • Budget Start Date
    7/1/2021 - 3 years ago
  • Budget End Date
    6/30/2022 - 2 years ago
  • Fiscal Year
    2021
  • Support Year
    08
  • Suffix
  • Award Notice Date
    6/17/2021 - 3 years ago

Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) Program

Currently the biomedical workforce does not reflect the general US population, as several groups are underrepresented. These groups include American Indians, Alaska Natives (AI/AN), and those from rural backgrounds. To support students from diverse backgrounds, especially AI/AN and rural students, our Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) program will expand a successful tiered group mentoring system that supports a holistic and culturally appropriate approach to academic advising and mentoring in relevant research experiences. Based on the student body in Alaska, we focus on engaging underrepresented students by providing meaningful research experiences through the One Health paradigm. One Health postulates that human, animal, and environmental health are inextricably linked ? the health of each is dependent upon the others. We will further test if this approach to health resonates with students from rural areas where a subsistence lifestyle is common and links humans closely to the environment through nutrition, economy, lifestyle, and culture. The One Health approach also aligns with a wider definition of health prevalent in many Indigenous communities, within and outside Alaska. During the second five years of our program we will continue the innovative practices that we have piloted in our BUILD supported BLaST program, and we will expand our BLaST network to colleges serving large proportions of AI/AN and rural students outside Alaska and assess if the One Health concept resonates with students in those institutions. We will also develop these approaches through building a culturally relevant community that will support students in clearing hurdles that often challenge their progress through their academic career.

IC Name
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
  • Activity
    RL5
  • Administering IC
    GM
  • Application Type
    5
  • Direct Cost Amount
    756545
  • Indirect Cost Amount
    60524
  • Total Cost
    627712
  • Sub Project Total Cost
  • ARRA Funded
    False
  • CFDA Code
    310
  • Ed Inst. Type
    UNIVERSITY-WIDE
  • Funding ICs
    OD:627712\
  • Funding Mechanism
    OTHER RESEARCH-RELATED
  • Study Section
    ZGM1
  • Study Section Name
    Special Emphasis Panel
  • Organization Name
    UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS
  • Organization Department
    MISCELLANEOUS
  • Organization DUNS
    615245164
  • Organization City
    FAIRBANKS
  • Organization State
    AK
  • Organization Country
    UNITED STATES
  • Organization Zip Code
    997757880
  • Organization District
    UNITED STATES