Abstract B24: Stimulating the development of research and training in cancer health disparities through the University of Guam (UOG)/University of Hawaii Cancer Center (UHCC) partnership.
Authors: Robinett Hali R. , Whippy Helen JD , Vogel Carl-Wilhelm 
Published: August 2014

a) Americans of Pacific Islander ancestry are highly underrepresented among cancer researchers and cancer health care professionals. Research designed and conducted by, for and with Pacific Islanders is critical to reducing cancer health disparities (CHD) and effectively delivering cancer health advances in Hawaii, Guam, and the neighboring US-associated Pacific Islands (USAPI). b) Graduate students are provided education and training in cancer health disparities research at both partner institutions. A CHD curriculum at UOG addresses cancer health outcomes and challenges unique to the Pacific region. Summer fellowships and annual workshops provide opportunities for faculty mentorship and development. The partnership's scientific and administrative leadership provides mentorship and consultation in the development of research projects with regional importance. c) Many Master's students at UOG have benefitted from the partnership, including several UOG graduates now enrolled in PhD programs at mainland universities. Three PhD students at UHCC are currently receiving mentorship and graduate student assistantships. All student scholars are involved in cancer research at both partner institutions. A cancer health disparities track established by the UOG's Micronesian Studies Program is now sustained by UOG. Approximately 20 peer-reviewed publications have resulted from the partnership since its inception, and a growing body of faculty at UOG and UHCC is participating in the partnership. Eight jointly-conducted projects are addressing research questions identifying: the associations of betel nut use and health related conditions and behaviors among users in Micronesia; sociocultural factors affecting betel nut chewing in Guam; the influence of betel nut use on the oral microbiome; the presence of alkaloids in the varieties of betel nut on Guam; the functional assessment of molecular components of betel nut involved in pro-inflammatory mechanisms of immune cells; community-based participatory approaches to youth tobacco use prevention/cessation in Guam; health information trends and needs in the Pacific; and breast cancer risk factors unique to Pacific Islander women. d) Over the past decade, this partnership has increased research capacity at UOG and among minority students attending the partner institutions, and increased research involvement, expertise, and resources at UHCC and UOG to address research priorities and cancer health disparities in Guam, Hawaii, and the USAPI. Supported by NIH U54 CA143727 and U54 CA143728.

Citation Format: Hali R. Robinett, Helen JD Whippy, Carl-Wilhelm Vogel. Stimulating the development of research and training in cancer health disparities through the University of Guam (UOG)/University of Hawaii Cancer Center (UHCC) partnership. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Fifth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2012 Oct 27-30; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2012;21(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B24.