# High School Program in Biomedical and Health Sciences

> **NIH NIH R25** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $192,758

## Abstract

Abstract
 Health disparities exist among segments of the population, including differences by gender, race/ethnicity,
education or income, disability, geographic location, and sexual orientation. Increasing the number of
underrepresented persons, including African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and Native Americans, disabled,
and those from low income backgrounds, in science- and healthcare-related fields is critical to closing these
gaps, in meeting the needs of our increasingly diverse society, and raising the cultural competence of all
scientists and health practitioners. However, while minority interest in science matches or exceeds that of
whites, individuals of color and from disadvantaged backgrounds are underrepresented in higher education,
and in particular science education. Providing high school students with opportunities for exposure to scientific
environments and mentorship from scientists is key in developing a passion for and sustained pursuit of
education in the sciences. Such opportunities are especially critical in promoting science interest among youth
of color. The goal of Stanford's High School Program in Biomedical and Health Sciences, as one of four high
school programs within the NIH/NIDDK-funded Short-Term Research Experience Program for
Underrepresented Persons (STEP-UP), is to increase the number of youth who are committed to and well-
positioned for careers in the sciences. The STEP-UP program provides opportunities for high school students
to develop critical thinking and educational skills within a supportive environment in which they have sustained
relationships with adults (often university faculty, medical and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows) as
well as peers in the program. Priority is given to recruiting and accepting talented students from populations
less represented in the biomedical and health sciences, including students of color, students from low
socioeconomic backgrounds, and disabled students. In addition to focusing on improved academic skills,
STEP-UP strives to facilitate the development of positive attitudes toward science, scientific skills, and positive
relationships with peers and mentors. In STEP-UP, each high school student is paired with an adult scientific
mentor, enabling students to obtain first-hand experience in a scientific environment. Students also participate
in didactic seminars, tours, and other events aimed at increasing science and education success. Students
have opportunities to continue during the academic year as well, through participating in webinars, research,
and other mentoring experiences. Since 2007, Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher has been the PI/Program Director
for one of four coordinating sites for the high school STEP-UP program. We are applying to continue and
expand our coordination of the high school STEP-UP program, and specifically to be one of the coordinating
institutions to recruit students from the 48 contiguous United States. The specific aims of o...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9864064
- **Project number:** 5R25DK078382-15
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Bonnie L Halpern-Felsher
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $192,758
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2007-06-01 → 2022-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9864064

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9864064, High School Program in Biomedical and Health Sciences (5R25DK078382-15). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9864064. Licensed CC0.

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