Phase II: University of Alaska, Fairbanks: Biomedical Learning and Student Training (BLaST) Program

During Phase I, BLaST worked on outreach to students over a large geographic area, including students who are of American Indian and Alaska Native backgrounds, and rural students. The program utilizes a “One Health” paradigm intended to resonate with target student populations. They also developed the Research Advising and Mentoring Professional (RAMPs) position, which helps to provide outreach and mentoring to trainees throughout Alaska.

During the course of Phase I, NIH funding at University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) rose from $9 to $13M in 3 years, and the first research grant in history for an Alaska tribal college was awarded. Along with continuing to implement the One Health paradigm in training, in Phase II, BLaST plans to leverage other NIH programs, like COBRE and INBRE, and to expand to four additional satellite sites, including three outside Alaska, that serve rural and indigenous students. The program’s evaluation efforts will include longitudinal analysis during Phase II.