title: A Perspective on Promoting Diversity in the Biomedical Research Workforce: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's PRIDE Program.
abstract: Aspiring junior investigators from groups underrepresented in the biomedical sciences face various challenges as they pursue research independence. However, the biomedical research enterprise needs their participation to effectively address critical research issues such as health disparities and health inequities. In this article, we share a research education and mentoring initiative that seeks to address this challenge: Programs to Increase Diversity among Individuals Engaged in Health Related Research (PRIDE), funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). This longitudinal research-education and mentoring program occurs through summer institute programs located at US-based academic institutions. Recruited participants are exposed to didactic and lab-based research-skill enhancement experiences, with year-round mentoring over the course of two years. Mentor-mentee matching is based on shared research interests to promote congruence and to enhance skill acquisition. Program descriptions and sample narratives of participants' perceptions of PRIDE's impact on their career progress are showcased. Additionally, we highlight the overall program design and structure of four of seven funded summer institutes that focus on cardiovascular disease, related conditions, and health disparities. Mentees' testimonials about the value of the PRIDE mentoring approach in facilitating career development are also noted. Meeting the clinical and research needs of an increasingly diverse US population is an issue of national concern. The PRIDE initiative, which focuses on increasing research preparedness and professional development of groups underrepresented in the biomedical research workforce, with an emphasis on mentoring as the critical approach, provides a robust model that is impacting the careers of future investigators.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Md.
authors.forename: Josephine E A
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Boyington
authors.affiliation: Georgia Cancer Center; Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Ga.
authors.forename: Nita J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Maihle
authors.affiliation: Division of Biostatistics and Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo.
authors.forename: Treva K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.affiliation: School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, University of Texas at Dallas, Tx.
authors.forename: Juan E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.affiliation: Office of Leadership Development, Augusta University, Augusta, Ga.
authors.forename: Caryl A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Medical College of Georgia; Augusta, Ga.
authors.forename: Levi H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Makala
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo.
authors.forename: Donna B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Jeffe
authors.affiliation: Global Institute of Public Health - Center for Healthful Behavior Change, NYU School of Medicine, N.Y.
authors.forename: Gbenga
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ogedegbe
authors.affiliation: Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo.
authors.forename: Dabeeru C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medicine, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo.
authors.forename: Victor G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Dávila-Román
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Division; Augusta University, Augusta, Ga.
authors.forename: Betty S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Pace
authors.affiliation: Global Institute of Public Health - Center for Healthful Behavior Change, NYU School of Medicine, N.Y.
authors.forename: Girardin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jean-Louis
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, State University of New York, Brooklyn, N.Y.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boutjdir
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D002321:Career Choice; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D006801:Humans; D008611:Mentors; D054555:National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (U.S.); D016730:Program Development; D012108:Research Personnel; D014481:United States
keywords: Biomedical Research; Diversity; NHLBI; Workforce