Novel BIPOC+ Next-Generation Summer Neuroscience Research Internship Initiative (P11-2.002) (2023)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To describe a novel Black, Indigenous, and People of Color+ (BIPOC+) next-generation neuroscience research internship (BNRI) initiative at the University of Utah. <h3>Background:</h3> BIPOC+ communities include over 40% of the total U.S population. In contrast to national trends, only a small number of the BIPOC+ populations are represented in the fields of neurology and neuroscience. A study conducted by Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) data suggested that from 2011–2019, a total of 9.0% of neurology residents identified as BIPOC+. This ongoing project aims to provide a foundational experience for BIPOC+ students in the field of neurology. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> A pilot BNRI twelve-week summer internship was launched in 2022 through the University of Utah Neurology Department Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Leadership (IDEAL) committee. BNRI assigned individual interns to a research project with a neurologist/neuroscientist as a mentor and study staff as a direct supervisor. Additionally, interns attended biweekly neuroscience lectures, took part in clinical shadowing, participated in community health engagement projects, and attended professional development sessions. To further assess the intern’s knowledge of neurological disorders, participants completed a 35-point pre- and post-assessment survey of neurological knowledge. <h3>Results:</h3> Of the 10 interns (8 high school students and 2 first-semester undergraduate students) enrolled in BNRI, the class self-identified as 3 Asian, 3 Southeast Asian, 2 LatinX, and 2 Black with 9 identified as females. The mean (SD) score of the pre-assessments is 11.1 (0.7), and the post-assessments is 22.3 (1.1). Interns completed their projects and presented them at the University of Utah Undergraduate Research Symposium hosted by the Office of Undergraduate Research; several interns will submit their projects to the 2023 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting in Boston. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> BNRI is an EDI program providing exposure to foundational neuroscience and health care field exposure with a neurologic emphasis on next-generation in the BIPOC+ community. <b>Disclosure:</b> Mr. Wong has nothing to disclose. The institution of Ms. Dennis has received research support from NIH. Ms. fagatele has nothing to disclose. Kacey Madsen has nothing to disclose. Megan McKay has nothing to disclose. Elise Longnecker has nothing to disclose. Annie Fukushima has nothing to disclose. Dr. Slattum has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lyden has nothing to disclose. The institution of Dr. Digre has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Invex therapeutics. Dr. Digre has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as an officer or member of the Board of Directors for American Headache Society. The institution of Dr. Digre has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Journal of Neuro-ophthalmology. The institution of Dr. Digre has received personal compensation in the range of $0-$499 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Utah Womens Health Review. Dr. Digre has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Dr. Digre has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Dr. Digre has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Dr. Digre has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Digre has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Miranda has nothing to disclose. Elisabeth Wilde has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Neuropsychology. The institution of Elisabeth Wilde has received research support from CDMRP/DoD. The institution of Elisabeth Wilde has received research support from VA. The institution of Elisabeth Wilde has received research support from NIH. The institution of Elisabeth Wilde has received research support from Cohen Veteran Biosciences. Ms. Figueroa has nothing to disclose. Mrs. Forrest has nothing to disclose. Dr. Arain has nothing to disclose. Ms. Beeler has nothing to disclose. Ms. Castillo has nothing to disclose. Miss Francis has nothing to disclose. The institution of Dr. Frost has received research support from Simons Foundation. The institution of Dr. Frost has received research support from National Institutes of Health. Dr. Noroozi Gilandehi has nothing to disclose. Ms. Neate has nothing to disclose. The institution of Dr. Peters has received research support from NIH. Miss Shapiro has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pulst has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for venrock. Dr. Pulst has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Arrowhead. Dr. Pulst has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Leverna. Dr. Pulst has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for AAN. Dr. Pulst has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as an Expert Witness for Leninthal LLC. The institution of Dr. Pulst has received research support from NINDS. Dr. Pulst has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. The institution of Dr. Rose has received research support from National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The institution of Dr. Rose has received research support from Guthy Jackson Charitable Foundation. The institution of Dr. Rose has received research support from NIH . The institution of Dr. Rose has received research support from VA. The institution of Dr. Rose has received research support from Biogen. The institution of Dr. Rose has received research support from Friends of MS. Dr. Rose has received intellectual property interests from a discovery or technology relating to health care. Dr. De Havenon has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Integra. Dr. De Havenon has stock in Certus. The institution of Dr. De Havenon has received research support from NIH/NINDS. The institution of Dr. De Havenon has received research support from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals. The institution of Dr. De Havenon has received research support from AMAG Pharmaceuticals. The institution of Dr. De Havenon has received research support from AMGEN. Dr. De Havenon has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of University of Utah Health. Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving as an Editor, Associate Editor, or Editorial Advisory Board Member for Neurology/AAN Publications. The institution of Dr. Clardy has received research support from Sumaira Foundation for NMO. The institution of Dr. Clardy has received research support from Western Institute for Veteran Research. The institution of Dr. Clardy has received research support from NIH/NINDS. Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a AAN Summer Meeting CoDirector Travel and Lodging with AAN. Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Grand Rounds Travel and Lodging with U of Iowa. Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Speaker Honoraria for Grand Rounds with Barrow Neurological Institute. Dr. Clardy has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Speaker Honoraria for Grand Rounds with Beaumont Health.