TRANSPORT II

ABSTRACT The renewal application Translational Program of Health Disparities Research Training (TRANSPORT II) builds on the successful research training programs established at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (Downstate). Downstate is the only health sciences university in Brooklyn, the largest borough in New York City with a population of approximately 2.6 million people and is located in a federally designated medically underserved area. There is a dire need for scientists who can conduct rigorously designed research that informs the development of sustainable solutions and advances equity. Over the past 5 years, our team implemented diversity-focused research training programs that reached 109 students and faculty. The mission of renewal TRANSPORT II is to maximize these successes by recruiting and training a diverse research workforce and developing strategic partnerships with key community stakeholders from multiple sectors. TRANSPORT II will prioritize four areas: 1) enhancement of the physical infrastructure and space which is critical for accommodating our rapidly growing programs, 2) expansion of research training and career development programs for students and faculty who are from underrepresented backgrounds, 3) fostering multisectoral community academic partnerships, and 4) growing a critical mass of established social science, behavioral population health, and implementation science researchers. Multitiered programs will include: The Community Health Advocates Mentorship Program (CHAMPS) that combines research methods with health advocacy skills, empowering high school students to become change agents in their communities. The Summer Program in Translational and Community Engaged Research (SPRINTER) for undergraduate students, the Program to Accelerate Academic Careers in Equity Research and Social Justice (PACERS) for pre-doctoral students. These programs provide a short intensive program for students in undergraduate and graduate health professions schools, respectively. The Transitions to Academic Careers (TRACS) will strengthen research capacity in graduate students yearlong as they transition to the next level of their academic research careers. The TRANSPORT II infrastructure will also expand training for post-doctoral and junior faculty and the recruitment of senior faculty. Finally, the Community Science Cafés will provide an innovative structured venue for convening community partners from multiple sectors and providing them with community-based participatory research and grantsmanship courses. The collective impact of these programs will scale up the capacity for conducting transformative health equity research at Downstate from over 100 to more than 550 trainees and community partners.