Four Durham Technical Community College students have been selected for the second cohort of the Clinical Research Equity Scholars Program.
The two-semester program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to contribute to the development of innovative strategies for improving equitable practices and diversity in clinical research. Scholars will receive a stipend and be matched with a Duke mentor on a clinical research project at Duke.
The students in this cohort will work with Duke research teams on projects focused on dementia, chronic kidney disease, and dermatology.
“I am so pleased to see the Clinical Research Equity Scholars program grow,” said Sharleen Traynor, PhD, MPH, director of the Clinical Trials Research Associate Program at Durham Tech. “This year we had greater student interest, partnered with more Duke investigators, and expanded our curriculum. This underscores the need for training opportunities focused on equity in clinical research.”
The four students in this year’s cohort are:
- Joshua Carino
Working with Dr. Ranee Chatterjee, Dr. Rowena Dolor & team, Primary Care Research Consortium studies and the PREVENTABLE trial
Joshua is a student in the Core Competencies of Clinical Research certificate program at Durham Tech. He has a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is interested in studying the intersection of system-level factors that create inequities in clinical research.
- Leshon Matthews
Working with Dr. Opeyemi Olabisi & team, CARE and JUSTICE chronic kidney disease research
Leshon is a student in the Associate in Applied Science degree program. He is excited to share his knowledge of clinical research with the community and contribute to the development of meaningful partnerships.
- Consuela Newman
Working with Dr. Ranee Chatterjee, Dr. Rowena Dolor & team, Primary Care Research Consortium studies and the PREVENTABLE trial
Consuela is a student in the Associate in Applied Science degree program at Durham Tech. As an Equity Scholar, she hopes to increase community awareness about clinical research and lift the voices of those from underrepresented populations.
- Sahradayi Patel
Working with Dr. Meenal Kheterpal & team, dermatology research focused on skin of color patients
Sahradayi is a student in the Core Competencies of Clinical Research certificate program at Durham Tech. She has a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology and medical lab technology. Sahradayi looks forward to making a difference in the community and working with clinical researchers to apply an equity lens to the work we do.
“The CTSI is thrilled to welcome this second cohort of Durham Tech Clinical Research Equity Scholars,” said Amanda McMillan, Senior Staff Director of the Workforce Development Pillar. “This program represents an unparalleled opportunity both to expose tomorrow’s workforce to critical equity concepts in the research environment and to leverage the scholars’ unique backgrounds and experiences to further refine our own best practices in that space. Durham Tech is a key partner in our workforce development efforts, and the Clinical Research Equity Scholars program is helping to expand the pathway between our two campuses.