The basis of our model is the formation of an all-female research group going through, theoretical and practical training over the course of the academic year followed by an on-site data collection (global destination) coupled with research and analysis during the summer months. Final interpretation and presentation of the data will be conducted during the following academic year. While the research question and topics will be flexible, all projects will be framed by our mission of producing student-driven research on questions that are global, interdisciplinary, and focused on women and STEM. Our first project began in the fall of 2016 with a focus on breast cancer incidences in Peru as a comparative study with the U.S. Each module of the project includes assessment strategies that measure the impact of the experience on student decisions to further a career in STEM, as well as, on their own personal level of empowerment and leadership capacity.<br/>Breast cancer continues to be one of the world’s most common and deadliest cancers. It is prevalent in low- and middle-income countries and common among low-income women in high-income countries like the United States. Breast cancer is therefore an important disease for those concerned about health disparities and women’s health in countries like the U.S. and Peru, as well as those seeking to train the next generation of cancer researchers. This project intends to allow for the development and implementation of a women and cancer undergraduate research model which will engage successive cohorts of female students in biological and chemical research, public health policy, and survey design experiences at the international level.<br/>Long term results of such project has yet to be determined since we are at the premises of it. Preliminary data collected from student surveys show encouraging signs of involvement and sizable acknowledgement of increased interest in the STEM and political science fields. The flexibility and adaptability of this model permits easy changes in the designed goals, so that the research focus can migrate from health related issues and healthcare to environmental concerns for example. All of these aspects put together make such project an exciting and innovative model to develop.

Global women and STEM undergraduate research training model

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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