A model for supporting biomedical and public health researcher use of publicly available All of Us data at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe opportunities and challenges associated with the development and implementation of a program for supporting researchers underrepresented in biomedical research.

Approach: We describe a case study of the All of Us Researcher Academy supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including feedback from participants, instructors, and coaches.

Findings: Lessons include the importance of inviting role models into learning networks, establishing and maintaining trusted relationships, and making coaches available for technical questions from researcher participants.

Originality: Although research has focused on learning outcomes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at Minority Serving Institutions in the United States, literature tends to lack models for initiatives to improve everyday research experiences of faculty and researchers at such institutions or to encourage researcher use of public-use data such as that available through NIH's All of Us Research Program. The All of Us Researcher Academy offers a model that addresses these needs.

Keywords: biomedical; communication program; health inequity; precision medicine; teaching.