Training and mentoring of junior investigators committed to addressing cancer-related health disparities through community-based participatory research: Lessons learned from the Community Networks Program

Background: Many academic institutions train doctoral students and post-docs in research, but many fewer train them in community-based participatory research (CBPR). Of these, not all focus on training individuals from groups underrepresented in research careers, including those from racial, geographic, and social groups that experience significant health disparities. Purpose: We will describe a model of developing CBPR-trained junior investigators from under-epresented backgrounds who can engage with communities to address health disparities, and present a survey to measure the factors, including mentoring and training that support or hinder their professional development. Method: From literature and experience, junior investigators and senior mentors from the National Cancer Institute-funded Community Networks Programs (CNP) (2005-2010) pre-tested a survey on 80 researchers from 25 CNP centers to assess the professional development needs of CBPR-focused junior investigators. Results. Pre-test findings suggested that junior investigators from underrepresented groups spent more time on CBPR-related activities and garnered more co-authored publications and grants than their non-underrepresented counterparts. Findings also informed development of our framework and refinement of our study design and survey. The refined survey will be administered to junior/mid-career and senior investigators affiliated with the CNP Centers (2011-2016), to determine factors that influence academic success and satisfaction, including having a team of mentors who are accessible and generous in providing junior investigators with professional opportunities. Implications: Our proposed training model and approach to measuring its impact and success may assist other universities committed to developing junior investigators from underrepresented backgrounds who are dedicated to CBPR and addressing health disparities.