# Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) Program

> **NIH NIH UL1** · UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS · 2021 · $1,928,428

## Abstract

Contact PD/PI: Hueffer, Karsten
Summary
Currently the biomedical workforce does not reflect the general US population, as several groups are
underrepresented. These groups include American Indians, Alaska Natives (AI/AN), and those from rural
backgrounds. To support students from diverse backgrounds, especially AI/AN and rural students, our
Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) program will expand a successful tiered group mentoring
system that supports a holistic and culturally appropriate approach to academic advising and mentoring in
relevant research experiences. Based on the student body in Alaska, we focus on engaging underrepresented
students by providing meaningful research experiences through the One Health paradigm. One Health
postulates that human, animal, and environmental health are inextricably linked – the health of each is
dependent upon the others. We will further test if this approach to health resonates with students from rural
areas where a subsistence lifestyle is common and links humans closely to the environment through nutrition,
economy, lifestyle, and culture. The One Health approach also aligns with a wider definition of health prevalent
in many Indigenous communities, within and outside Alaska. During the second five years of our program we
will continue the innovative practices that we have piloted in our BUILD supported BLaST program, and we will
expand our BLaST network to colleges serving large proportions of AI/AN and rural students outside Alaska
and assess if the One Health concept resonates with students in those institutions. We will also develop these
approaches through building a culturally relevant community that will support students in clearing hurdles that
often challenge their progress through their academic career.
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Project Summary/Abstract
Contact PD/PI: Hueffer, Karsten
Narrative
American Indian / Alaska Native students face some of the largest health disparities in the country and
together with other groups, such as those from rural backgrounds are underrepresented in the biomedical
research workforce. We utilize an approach that links environmental, animal, and human health under the One
Health paradigm to engage students from AI/AN and rural background in meaningful research. We have
created a supportive tiered group mentoring system to increase undergraduate success in research with the
goal to ultimately provide students with diverse career options in the biomedical research workforce.
Page 48

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10213176
- **Project number:** 5UL1GM118991-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS
- **Principal Investigator:** KARSTEN HUEFFER
- **Activity code:** UL1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $1,928,428
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-09-26 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10213176

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10213176, Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) Program (5UL1GM118991-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10213176. Licensed CC0.

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