Program to inspire minority high school students in cancer research
University of California San Diego Outreach Program To Inspire Minority and Underrepresented Students (OPTIMUS)
The OPTIMUS program at UC San Diego invites underrepresented minority high school students to explore cancer research through a summer fellowship, where they'll work with scientists and learn about both cancer and personal growth, all while helping to inspire a more diverse future in healthcare.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10884912 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The OPTIMUS program at UC San Diego aims to engage underrepresented minority high school students in cancer research through a summer fellowship. Participants, known as OPTIMUS Scholars, will work closely with research faculty while also engaging in a curriculum focused on cancer research and personal development. This program is designed to foster a lasting interest in science and healthcare among these students, ultimately contributing to a more diverse biomedical workforce. Additionally, graduate students will gain experience in creating and implementing outreach programs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this program are underrepresented minority high school students in the San Diego area who are interested in science and healthcare.
Not a fit: Students outside the San Diego region or those not belonging to underrepresented minority groups may not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly increase diversity in the biomedical and cancer research fields, leading to improved health outcomes for underrepresented communities.
How similar studies have performed: Similar outreach programs have shown success in increasing diversity in STEM fields, indicating that this approach is promising.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Murphy, James D — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Murphy, James D
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 below.