Workforce Development Core for Genomics Literacy and Training
Official title: Workforce Development Core
Funded at University of Texas Rio Grande Valley · NIH-11421435 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to grow and diversify the genomics workforce by training scientists, educators, and healthcare professionals while improving genomic literacy among the general public.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Edinburg, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $212,482 |
| NIH project number | 5U54HG013247-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11421435 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are students, postdocs, residents, faculty, educators, and healthcare professionals seeking genomics training and career development.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is not the primary aim; the grant focuses on training and literacy that may indirectly support future patient care.
What this research studies
The Workforce Development Core seeks to expand expert knowledge in human genomics and boost genomic literacy through targeted training and outreach. It will leverage two innovative research projects to provide genomics training experiences for students, postdocs, residents, and faculty across the university, including collaborations with education and engineering colleges. Short courses in genomics and research experiences will be offered to K-12 educators, healthcare providers, teachers, and graduate students, with dissertation and thesis support where applicable. The program emphasizes cross-disciplinary participation and aims to attract trainees from outside traditional biology/biomedicine, broadening pathways into genomics careers. The initiative will build a pipeline of trained professionals able to advance genomic science and precision medicine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants gain advanced genomics skills and broader career opportunities, benefiting patient care through a more literate and capable workforce.
How similar studies have gone: Previous workforce and education grants have shown that structured genomics training can expand career pathways and improve literacy, though this specific cross-disciplinary approach is innovative.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Williams-Blangero, Sarah a. — University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- Study coordinator: Williams-Blangero, Sarah a.
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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.