# Faceting GEMs (Genomics Education Modules) for the Entry-level Workforce

> **NIH NIH R25** · FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER · 2024 · $579,698

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Rapid advancements in genomics have revolutionized healthcare, technology, research, and beyond. The
demand for professionals with genomics skills, knowledge, and critical thinking is also increasing. Currently,
genomics skills are primarily acquired at major research institutions, leaving instructors at under-resourced
institutions unsupported. Community and technical colleges, which educate a diverse student population and
entry-level workers, face barriers in developing genomics curricula due to high teaching loads and limited
resources. We propose Faceting GEMs (Genomic Education Modules) for the Entry-level Workforce to
address this gap at under-resourced community colleges. Our program will (1) provide accessible, research-
focused genomics training modules, (2) train and motivate Partner Site faculty, (3) foster faculty community,
support, and collaborations, and (4) use scalable online platforms to promote genomics education. We will
create active learning modules built around authentic research experiences to deeply engage the capable and
driven participants at our Partner Sites. To address the scarcity of professional development opportunities for
community college faculty, our program offers an annual in-person "Learn-a-thon" at the Lead Site (Fred
Hutch). The Learn-a-thon will engage Partner Site faculty in research, train them to lead the modules, and
foster collaboration for module improvements. We will prioritize creating an authentic support network by
offering both synchronous and asynchronous forms of communication, while also providing funds for the
Partner Site faculty to visit each other and build deeper support systems. Outside of the classroom, Instructor
Guides and materials will be provided to encourage adoption of the modules by other genomics educators. We
will leverage our experience bringing online courses to millions of learners by scaling and publishing our
module materials as free Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), benefiting other educators and learners
worldwide. All materials will also be freely available on our website to promote broad availability. Finally, we
will assess our impact through evaluation rooted in pedagogical practices. The GEMs program leverages the
established Genomic Data Science Community Network (GDSCN), a collaborative that has worked to
diversify the genomic data science research community by engaging faculty from Historically Black Colleges
and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and
Community Colleges (CCs) across the United States. Our work proposed here builds upon this trusted
collaboration, ensuring continuity and sustained momentum in innovating genomics curriculum.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10854368
- **Project number:** 1R25HG013489-01
- **Recipient organization:** FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Ava Marie Hoffman
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $579,698
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-24 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10854368

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10854368, Faceting GEMs (Genomics Education Modules) for the Entry-level Workforce (1R25HG013489-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10854368. Licensed CC0.

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