# Educational Pathways to increase Diversity in Genomics (EDGE) at UNC Chapel Hill

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2022 · $170,834

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The lack of diversity in the United States genomics workforce is a critical multifaceted issue that highlights
disparities for underrepresented people in access to training, job acquisition, and healthcare. We propose
Educational Pathways to increase Diversity in Genomics at UNC Chapel Hill (UNC EDGE) to help address this
problem by developing and implementing a new sustainable undergraduate training program in genomics. The
primary aims for UNC EDGE are to (1) expose early career freshmen and sophomores to the breadth of careers
available in basic genome sciences, genomic medicine, and genomics and society; (2) provide the foundational
research skills & knowledgebase required to make an informed career decision; and (3) help students develop
a supportive multi-tiered community mentoring framework to guide their career trajectory. Our central objective
is to provide students with the tools, knowledge, and support to build self-efficacy and informed decision making
required for sustainable advancement in a career in genomics. North Carolina (NC) has a high level of ethnic
diversity [10.1 million people, ~33% from underrepresented communities], a large proportion of rural regions
(80%), a low rate of completion of higher education among underrepresented groups (14-20%), and increasing
disparities in health and healthcare. NC is also home to a burgeoning biotechnology enterprise and the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), a global leader in genomics research and Precision Medicine. Both
entities have historically low proportions of people from underrepresented, underserved, and disadvantaged
backgrounds working in genomics. Over the course of this 5-year project, UNC EDGE will use a tailored
curriculum to bridge the gap between the stellar genomics research environment at UNC and underrepresented
(UR) undergrads from surrounding NC communities, as well as students across the United States. Our primary
objective for long-term outcomes is to increase the number of these UR students that choose and are stably
retained in a genomics research career. This will increase access to lucrative job opportunities in academia and
biotechnology, and increase inclusion and innovation in research & healthcare. In addition, increasing entry of
well-trained underrepresented professionals into the genomics workforce gives them the opportunity to become
stakeholders in the research and healthcare decisions that affect their community; an outcome that we hope will
ultimately help improve disparities in healthcare as genomics becomes a greater consideration in Precision
Medicine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10347897
- **Project number:** 1R25HG012219-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** JONATHAN S BERG
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $170,834
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-02-04 → 2027-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10347897

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10347897, Educational Pathways to increase Diversity in Genomics (EDGE) at UNC Chapel Hill (1R25HG012219-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10347897. Licensed CC0.

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