# Knight Scholars Program - Building STEM Interest and Capacity for Cancer Research Careers among Underrepresented and Rural High School Students

> **NIH NIH R25** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $299,571

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Recent trends highlight that the current and developing scientific workforce in the United States may not be
adequately prepared nor reflect the diversity of students needed to tackle the increasingly complex and cross-
disciplinary nature of biomedical research. Science experiences outside of the formal schooling environment
have been shown to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) trajectories by stimulating
student interest in science, fostering student beliefs in their abilities, and by making science appealing and
accessible to a variety of learners. However, access to such programs is often difficult for underrepresented
minority (URM) students, including those disadvantaged due to race/ethnicity or residence in low-income rural
or frontier areas. Therefore, the proposed Knight Scholars Program will provide mentored cancer research
training experiences for underrepresented and rural high school students in order to increase access to
enhanced STEM opportunities in a manner that takes into account the social and geographic challenges these
students may face. The intended outcome of the Program is to strengthen students' science identity and
resilience through exposure to 1) expanded hands-on cancer research experiences, 2) teachers and
community members trained to support continued work in the students' “home community”, and 3) formalized
opportunities to share experiences in ways that support their communities' cancer-related needs.
Specifically the proposed Knight Scholars Program will 1) increase the number of URM Oregon high school
students (specifically those disadvantaged due to race/ethnicity, rural residence and low-income) who
participate in expanded hands-on summer cancer research experiences of 1-week, 2-weeks and 6-weeks; 2)
develop ongoing support for students in their “home community” through continued engagement in STEM
activities, intensive teacher professional development programs, and formal links to local OHSU research
liaisons; 3) create a culture of shared experience by integrating student involvement in cancer-related
community programs,(e.g., shadowing within local hospitals and outreach projects with non-profits).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10003014
- **Project number:** 5R25CA221741-03
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** BRIAN J DRUKER
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $299,571
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-19 → 2024-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10003014

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10003014, Knight Scholars Program - Building STEM Interest and Capacity for Cancer Research Careers among Underrepresented and Rural High School Students (5R25CA221741-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10003014. Licensed CC0.

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