Several training opportunities exist for Pacific Islander students and junior researchers to learn more about cancer health disparities and research approaches. The following is a list of current opportunities open to Pacific Islanders.
Minority Training Program in Cancer Control Research (MTPCCR)
Minority Training Program in Cancer Control Research (MTPCCR) is designed to encourage masters-trained minority students to pursue doctoral programs that focus on cancer disparities research. The MTPCCR consists of three components: a summer institute, student internships, and doctoral incentive awards. Please go to www.ph.ucla.edu/mtpccr for more information.
The National Cancer Institute’s Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD)
The National Cancer Institute’s Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) offers diversity training programs for minority students from high school through post-doctorate to increase the number of underrepresented individuals conducting competitive cancer research. For general information, go to crchd.cancer.gov for a description of their programs; contact WINCART for local opportunities to learn more about NCI’s programs.
National Institutes of Health: National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities
This two-week intensive course will provide instruction in the principles of health disparities research. With a focus on concepts, methods, issues, and applications, it aims to provide the knowledge and research tools needed to conduct and develop translational and transdisciplinary interventions to eliminate health disparities. The course content will be developed in the context of the history of health and health disparities in the United States. Biological and non-biological determinants of health will be addressed, and a range of social, political, economic, cultural, and legal theories related to health disparities will be covered. A number of frameworks will be used for investigating, evaluating, and discussing health disparities research, and these will address outcome measurement issues, policy and policy formation concerns, interventions, and best practices. Health, health-related conditions, and healthcare within individual health disparity populations will be discussed, and the course will focus on integration of disciplines (including biological, social, behavioral, physical, and environmental sciences, and law and economics) to understand science, practice, and policy issues in health disparities research. Classes will begin with lectures from nationally recognized experts in the subdisciplines of health disparities science. Lectures will be followed by guided group discussions and activities to explore the module content, and questions and issues that are most relevant to select communities will be chosen by course participants for intense debate. At the end of the course, each class participant may elect to formulate a work plan for health disparities innovation research in their chosen community. For more information please contact Course Director Dr. Irene Dankwa-Mullan at dankwamullani@mail.nih.gov
Northwest Native American Research Center for Health (NW NARCH)
The overall goal of the Northwest NARCH (NW NARCH): Enhancing health equality in Northwest Tribes is to develop a cadre of highly trained American Indian/Alaska Native biomedical and health researchers who are sensitive to the culture and specific concerns of Northwest Indian communities, and who can bring the benefits of academic research to these communities to reduce health disparities. The NW NARCH is operated by the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB)—an Indian organization uniquely qualified to administer NARCH based on an active membership of all 43 Northwest Indian tribes. The NW NARCH will accomplish its goal through two training programs: (1) A mentored scholarship program for AI/AN trainees at the post-graduate level, and (2) The Summer Research Training Institute for AI/AN Health Professionals. The NW NARCH will also develop an extensive infrastructure for training and supporting AI/AN researchers in high quality health research. For more information, or contact NW NARCH Project Director Thomas Becker at tbecker@npaihb.org or NW NARCH Project Assistant Tanya Firemoon at tfiremoon@npaihb.org.
The Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA)
The Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA) offers after-school programs and scholarships for high school-aged Asian and Pacific Islander youth to increase their academic readiness for college. They offer high school mentoring (with Magnolia High School), scholarships and science research internships for Pacific islanders interested in learning more about health and future health professions. Please contact Ms. Mary Anne Foo, OCAPICA Executive Director, at mafoo@ocapica.org.
Pacific American Foundation: PAF
PAF is Dedicated to improving the lives of Pacific Americans through Education, Mentorship & Leadership Training, Employment, Research & Development and Community Partnerships. Their website lists training opportunities at the undergraduate, grauate and postdoctoral level across the country.
To take a look at their training opportunities click here: http://www.thepaf.org/programs
Project IMHOTEP
IMHPTOP is an eleven-week internship out of Morehouse University designed to increase the knowledge and skills of rising juniors and seniors and recent graduates of an undergraduate institution in biostatistics, epidemiology, and occupational safety and health.
Summer Research Training Institute for American Indian and Alaska Native Health Professionals
Hosted by the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board and the Center for Healthy Communities at Oregon Health & Science University. Our curriculum is designed to meet the needs of professionals who work in diverse areas of American Indian and Alaska Native health. From administrators to community health workers, physicians, nurses, researchers, program managers, almost anyone who works in Indian health can take advantage of this new skill-building opportunity. Because our courses emphasize research skills and program design and implementation, those professionals who seek training opportunities related to research will find relevant courses in this program. For the information flyer.
WINCART Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) Online Training Program
In response to the growing interest in community-based participatory research (CBPR) and the need for community and culturally appropriate CBPR educational resources, WINCART Center had developed an online training program to increase CBPR knowledge and skills among those interested in addressing cancer health disparities of Pacific Islanders. Through a series of eight steps participants will: (1) Learn the basics of CBPR, (2) Learn about the development of the WINCART CBPR model, (3) and explore available resources on CBPR, WINCART Center, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander culture.
This is a free and self-paced training that allows participants to view training videos at their own pace and a time that is convenient for them. The training is composed of 2 online video training series, pre- and post-test surveys, and a training questionnaire, which takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. A Certificate of Completion will be available for participants who successfully complete the program.
The WINCART CBPR Online Training Program a great educational resource for those who are interested in research in a community context, cancer disparities elimination among diverse populations, and/or CBPR projects in Southern California. More information on the program.