Advancing Diversity in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Research and Clinical Care: Lessons Learned from Educational and Career Trajectories of Recent Mentorship Program Graduates.
Sharon ThompsonDennis TrinidadEmily WooSteven EdlandBecky MarquezPublished in: International journal of aging & human development (2024)
Underrepresented minorities (URMs) are disproportionately affected with aging-related conditions and have inadequate representation in gerontology and geriatrics professions. The Mentorship for Advancing Undergraduate Research on Aging (MADURA) Program aims to increase inclusion of URMs by improving undergraduate retention and success, increasing rates of graduate/medical school applications, and increasing entry into aging research/clinical employment. MADURA provides cohorts with faculty and peer mentorship, research skills training, paid research lab experiences and professional development opportunities. About 87% of the 2023 MADURA cohort intends to take 1+ year after receiving a Bachelor's degree, to prepare for graduate education. Planned activities include gaining work experience, preparing for standardized tests, and obtaining formal training to strengthen graduate/medical school applications. In addition to immediate graduate program acceptances, other student outcomes should be assessed. Longitudinal research on the effectiveness of various post-graduation pathways could assist Mentorship programs in supporting their graduates' longer term educational and career goal attainment.
Keyphrases
- medical education
- quality improvement
- medical students
- healthcare
- randomized controlled trial
- systematic review
- public health
- palliative care
- preterm infants
- mental health
- type diabetes
- cross sectional
- metabolic syndrome
- mental illness
- weight loss
- virtual reality
- pain management
- glycemic control
- skeletal muscle
- mild cognitive impairment
- preterm birth
- drug induced