The UAMS Translational Research Institute (TRI) and UAMS Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DDEI) recently named five scholars for the 2023 Strategies for Training and Advancing underrepresented Researchers (STARs) Program.
The scholars and their project titles are:
Gina A. Drobena, M.D., associate professor, UAMS College of Medicine Department of Pathology
“Dietary Effect of Progression of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance to Multiple Myeloma”
Bernard Muriithi, Ph.D., assistant professor, UAMS College of Health Professions Department of Occupational Therapy
“Occupational Resilience: Evaluating the Feasibility of Application of a Novel Theoretical Framework”
Pilar Murphy, Pharm.D., MPH, associate professor, UAMS College of Pharmacy Department of Pharmacy Practice
“Association of Health Literacy, Disease State Education and Type 2 Diabetes Control”
Latrina Prince, Ed.D., associate professor, UAMS Graduate School
“Assessing Heart Disease Knowledge and Awareness in African Americans”
Brittany Wilkerson, PA-C (physician assistant-certified), assistant professor, UAMS College of Health Professions Department of Physician Assistant Studies
“Effects of Mindful Self-Compassion on the Mental Well-Being of Adults in Recovery for Substance Abuse.”
The STARs program enables eligible faculty to build on their research skills and grantsmanship. Program participants receive $10,000 in Equity, Diversity, and Grantsmanship Expertise (EDGE) funding for a research project upon completion of the STARs didactics.
Shuk Mei-Ho, Ph.D., vice chancellor for UAMS Research and Innovation, provided funding to support a fifth STARs scholar this year.
The program is available to faculty who meet the NIH definition of underrepresented individuals in the scientific workforce. This includes faculty from racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. All UAMS-affiliated researchers are eligible to apply.
The three-month program is led by faculty with extensive grant-writing and mentorship experience:
Antiño R. Allen, Ph.D., professor, UAMS College of Pharmacy, associate director of Diversity Initiatives at TRI, leads the STARs program didactics. He is also associate dean of Pipeline and Career Development at the Graduate School
Mario Schootman, Ph.D., professor, Department of Medicine, UAMS College of Medicine; co-director, TRI Workforce Development, serves as a STARs program reviewer and mentor.
Jessica Snowden, M.D., M.S., professor and chief, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases; vice dean for Research, UAMS College of Medicine; co-director, TRI Workforce Development, serves as a STARs program reviewer and mentor.
To learn more about the STARs program, its eligibility criteria, and the benefits it offers, please visit the program’s webpage https://tri.uams.edu/funding-opportunities/stars-program.