Abstract 4188: Multifaceted approach to engaging basic cancer scientists in community-based research
Authors: Mantina Namoonga M. , Contreras Juan , Yellowhair Monica , Miranti Cynthia , Hatcher Jennifer 
Published: April 2023

Background: The University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC) is the only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Arizona, serving a 5-county catchment area that is approximately 40% Hispanic/Latinx. To ensure that UACC is conducting culturally relevant and meaningful research that is aligned with community priorities, we established the Research Outreach for Southern Arizona (ROSA) program. The ROSA program aims to facilitate bidirectional learning opportunities between scientists and the community, focusing on cancer biology and basic science. Multiple approaches were taken to engage cancer biology researchers with the communities in the catchment area with an ultimate aim of developing Basic science Community based participatory research projects.

Method: Through a partnership between the UACC’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement and the Cancer Biology Program, the ROSA program employed multiple strategies to educate and engage basic scientists on best practices to effectively engage community members, which included: collaborative working groups, meet the scientist learning opportunities, student and community ambassadors, and creation of the ROSA Café Series (community conversations with UACC basic scientist). These strategies facilitated avenues for scientists to educate, learn from, and engage with the community.

Results: The working group consisted of UACC basic scientists and community members that helped develop a ROSA survey that will be used to gain community input and learn more about community research priorities, knowledge base and culturally appropriate research. Additionally, ROSA community and student ambassadors were enrolled into a curriculum where they learned fundamentals of cancer biology via conversations with the basic scientists and provided opportunities for scientists to practice using lay language to express scientific ideas. Bidirectional learning opportunities were also presented within the structure of the ROSA Café’s with the ultimate goal of having community members learn directly from the researchers about current and potential projects. These strategies have ultimately led to interactions between the basic science and lay community that serve as a basis for future basic science projects that are community inspired and have potential for high community input and impact.

Discussion: Helping basic scientists integrate their science more fully into communities has the potential for advancing science and promoting health equity in minoritized communities. This partnership is predicated on preparing basic scientists to interact comfortably and effectively with community members, necessitating common language and fuller understanding of community ways of knowing. The strategies employed and explicated here provide a model for cancer centers to develop culturally and community relevant basic science programs.

Citation Format: Namoonga M. Mantina, Juan Contreras, Monica Yellowhair, Cynthia Miranti, Jennifer Hatcher. Multifaceted approach to engaging basic cancer scientists in community-based research. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 4188.