Engaging rural Alaskan students in biomedical careers
Official title: Rural Alaska Students in One-Health Research (RASOR)
Funded at University of Alaska Fairbanks · NIH-10663268 · Data updated 2026-11-12
The RASOR project is all about helping high school students from rural Alaska explore exciting careers in science and health by connecting their local experiences to real research, while also giving them the chance to work with mentors and learn in a supportive community.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alaska Fairbanks NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fairbanks, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2019 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $262,082 |
| NIH project number | 5R25GM129838-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-10663268 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are high school students from rural Alaskan communities, particularly those who are Alaska Native, low-income, or first-generation college students.
✕Less likely to help
Students from urban areas or those already engaged in biomedical careers may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
The RASOR project aims to inspire high school students from rural Alaska to pursue careers in biomedical and STEM fields. By connecting their unique experiences and environmental knowledge to scientific research, the program offers place-based mentored research projects that enhance students' understanding of the one-health approach. This initiative addresses the geographic isolation of these communities by providing access to professional role models and fostering a supportive learning environment. The project emphasizes community-based participatory research, allowing students to actively engage in meaningful scientific inquiry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower rural Alaskan students to pursue careers in biomedical sciences, ultimately increasing diversity in the field.
How similar studies have gone: Previous initiatives have shown success in increasing minority student engagement in STEM through similar mentorship and community-based research approaches.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chenoweth, Ellen — University of Alaska Fairbanks
- Study coordinator: Chenoweth, Ellen
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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.