SDSU FUERTE: Building diverse health research leaders focused on Latinx health disparities
Official title: SDSU FUERTE: Faculty United towards Excellence in Research and Transformational Engagement
Funded at San Diego State University · NIH-11364793 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A program to recruit and develop a diverse group of early-career health science faculty at SDSU to advance work on Latinx health disparities through community-engaged and implementation-focused research.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Diego State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project start | September 21, 2021 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $180,600 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA267789-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364793 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Early-career health sciences faculty with research interests in Latinx health disparities and a commitment to community-engaged and implementation science approaches.
✕Less likely to help
This grant focuses on faculty development and institutional change; direct patient participation is not a primary component.
What this research studies
SDSU FUERTE aims to bring together a nine-person, tenure-track-ready cohort of health sciences faculty who will begin at SDSU in the 2022-2023 academic year. The initiative emphasizes Latinx health disparities and builds skills in community-engaged research and implementation science in areas like addiction science, environmental health, and obesity/physical activity/nutrition. The effort includes an intentional faculty development plan to promote retention, promotion, and research independence for URM scholars, while expanding SDSU’s research capacity and collaborative opportunities. The program seeks to reduce isolation and discrimination by creating a supportive environment that aligns with university diversification and research excellence goals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients in Latinx communities could see faster translation of research into practice and more culturally responsive health interventions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous diversity-focused faculty development programs have shown improvements in research productivity and retention, though outcomes vary by institution and discipline.
Where this research is happening
-
San Diego State University
San Diego, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zuniga de Nuncio, Maria Luisa — San Diego State University
- Study coordinator: Zuniga de Nuncio, Maria Luisa
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.