Building a diverse workforce in genomics through undergraduate education
Official title: AGTC: Attaining Genomics Talent Cloud through Undergraduate Research Education
Funded at Tennessee State University · NIH-10881222 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping college students from underrepresented backgrounds get hands-on training and research experience in genomics, so they can become part of a more diverse workforce in this important field.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tennessee State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $122,981 |
| NIH project number | 1R25HG013578-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10881222 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are undergraduate students from underrepresented minority backgrounds or disadvantaged groups interested in pursuing careers in genomics and biomedical research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not undergraduate students or who do not belong to underrepresented minority groups may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create a more inclusive workforce in genomics by providing undergraduate students, particularly from underrepresented minority backgrounds, with hands-on training and research opportunities. Participants will engage in a two-year program that includes a focused curriculum and a ten-week mentored research experience at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The program addresses barriers faced by these students, such as lack of exposure and resources, by fostering collaboration between Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University. This initiative seeks to enhance the representation of diverse groups in the genomics field, ultimately benefiting genomics-enabled medicine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a more diverse and representative workforce in genomics, improving health outcomes and reducing disparities in genomic data inclusion.
How similar studies have gone: Similar initiatives have shown success in increasing diversity in STEM fields, indicating that this approach could be effective in genomics as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Tennessee State University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Xiaofei — Tennessee State University
- Study coordinator: Wang, Xiaofei
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.