Training American Indian students for careers in health research
Official title: Cherokee Nation Research Immersion Student Experiences( Cherokee Rise)
Funded at Cherokee Nation · NIH-10912528 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping American Indian students get involved in health research by offering them support, mentorship, and educational opportunities from high school through graduate school, so they can explore exciting careers in biomedical and behavioral health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cherokee Nation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tahlequah, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $252,071 |
| NIH project number | 5S06GM146122-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912528 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are American Indian students at various educational levels interested in pursuing careers in health research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not American Indian or who are not pursuing a career in health research may not benefit from this initiative.
What this research studies
This project aims to address the underrepresentation of American Indian individuals in the scientific workforce by providing culturally competent educational services and mentorship. The Cherokee Nation has partnered with the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University to create the Cherokee Nation Research Immersion Student Experiences (RISE) program. This initiative will support students from high school through graduate school, fostering their interest and expertise in biomedical, clinical, and behavioral health research. By building partnerships and providing resources, the program seeks to create a pathway for American Indian students to pursue careers in health research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could empower American Indian students to enter and thrive in health research careers, ultimately contributing to health equity.
How similar studies have gone: Similar initiatives have shown success in increasing representation and support for underrepresented groups in health research, making this approach promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Cherokee Nation
Tahlequah, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vesely, Sara Katherine — Cherokee Nation
- Study coordinator: Vesely, Sara Katherine
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.