# Student Transformative Experiences to Progress Under-represented Professionals (STEP-UP)

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA · 2021 · $270,777

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
This application, entitled “Student Transformative Experiences to Progress Underrepresented Professionals”
(STEP-UP) for cancer prevention, is a multidisciplinary initiative led by the Cancer Prevention and Control and
Health Disparities Programs' faculty at the University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center. It is uniquely
designed to provide 55 undergraduate and 54 Masters' degree seeking students with an intensive, 12-week
summer research experience in cancer prevention and control. Educational pedagogy will inform on our
methodology in order to assure students receive the quality research experience that not only will increase
understanding, but also will motivate students toward a continued educational commitment to advance in
cancer prevention and control sciences. The emphasis in training will be largely within the clinical trials to
community-based participatory research end of translational research, yet offering students 2 week-long
immersion opportunities to experience cancer prevention and control science across the entire continuum of
basic to applied and even dissemination research. Over 35 faculty members from diverse disciplines who are
funded in cancer prevention and control research are committed to this program. The program fills a gap in our
web of training opportunities for underrepresented students and yet builds on a substantial foundation of
purpose-driven efforts at the UA and the Arizona Cancer Center to attract and retain a diverse student body in
cancer prevention and control research. Importantly, this effort leverages our international reputation in cancer
prevention research. Our specific aims include: 1. Recruit undergraduate and Master's level graduate students
from URM into the STEP-UP in cancer prevention 12-week summer experiential cancer prevention and control
research training; 2. Provide an integrated, innovative, multidisciplinary educational experience in cancer
prevention and control research that strengthens self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation to become a cancer
prevention and control scientist; 3. Support mentoring and professional relationships with scientists, research
programs and community partners; 4. Conduct formative and summative evaluations to improve the program
over time. The training program is centralized in Southern Arizona and offers experiential learning within our
unique catchment area which is rich in diversity relative to ethnicity (30.7% Hispanic), race (5.8% Native
Americans) and age (16.4% over age 65 years). This distinctive location, strong community ties, university
facilities and resources for research and education, as well as committed and experienced faculty mentors and
program leaders, assures a quality program that will impact the diversity, competence and commitment of the
cancer prevention and control workforce of the future.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9999465
- **Project number:** 5R25CA217725-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
- **Principal Investigator:** Jennifer Wright Bea
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $270,777
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-12 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9999465

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9999465, Student Transformative Experiences to Progress Under-represented Professionals (STEP-UP) (5R25CA217725-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9999465. Licensed CC0.

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