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Yowler JY, Knier K, WareJoncas Z, Ehlers SL, Ekker SC, Reyes FG, Horazdovsky BF, Mueller G, Gomez AM, Sood A, Sussman CR, Scholl LM, Weavers KM, Pierret C. Rapid Adaptation and Remote Delivery of Undergraduate Research Training during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Sustainability 2021; 13. [PMID: 36185775 PMCID: PMC9520772 DOI: 10.3390/su13116133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
When COVID-19 caused worldwide cancellations of summer research immersion programs in 2020, Mayo Clinic rallied to create an alternate virtual experience called Summer Foundations in Research (SFIR). SFIR was designed not only to ensure the continuance of science pathways training for undergraduate scientists but also to support undergraduate mental wellbeing, given the known pandemic stressors. A total of 170 participants took part in the program and were surveyed pre-post for outcomes in biomedical research career knowledge, biomedical research career interest, research skills confidence, and three dimensions of mental wellbeing. Knowledge of and interest in careers involving biomedical research rose significantly following participation in SFIR. The participants’ mean research skills confidence also rose between 0.08 and 1.32 points on a 7-point scale across 12 items from the Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory. Success in science pathways support was accompanied by positive shifts in participant mental wellbeing. Measurable decreases in stress (Perceived Stress Scale, p < 0.0001) accompanied gains in resilience (Brief Resilience Scale, p < 0.0001) and life satisfaction (Satisfaction with Life Scale, p = 0.0005). Collectively, the data suggest that core objectives of traditional in-person summer research programming can be accomplished virtually and that these programs can simultaneously impact student wellbeing. This theoretical framework is particularly salient during COVID-19, but the increased accessibility of virtual programs such as SFIR can continue to bolster science education pathways long after the pandemic is gone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kit Knier
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Mayo Clinic Medical Scientist Training Program, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Zachary WareJoncas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Shawna L. Ehlers
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Stephen C. Ekker
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Fabiola Guasp Reyes
- Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, PR 00936, USA
| | - Bruce F. Horazdovsky
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Glenda Mueller
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Adriana Morales Gomez
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Amit Sood
- Global Center for Resiliency and Wellbeing, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Caroline R. Sussman
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Linda M. Scholl
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Office of Applied Scholarship and Education Science, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Correspondence: (L.M.S.); (K.M.W.); (C.P.)
| | - Karen M. Weavers
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Office of Applied Scholarship and Education Science, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Correspondence: (L.M.S.); (K.M.W.); (C.P.)
| | - Chris Pierret
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Correspondence: (L.M.S.); (K.M.W.); (C.P.)
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Yowler JY, Knier K, WareJoncas Z, Ehlers SL, Ekker SC, Reyes FG, Horazdovsky BF, Mueller G, Gomez AM, Sood A, Sussman CR, Scholl LM, Weavers KM, Pierret C. Rapid adaptation and remote delivery of undergraduate research training during the COVID 19 Pandemic. bioRxiv 2021. [PMID: 33655246 DOI: 10.1101/2021.02.24.432694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 continues to alter daily life around the globe. Education is particularly affected by shifts to distance learning. This change has poignant effects on all aspects of academic life, including the consequence of increased mental stress reported specifically for students. COVID-19 cancellations of many summer fellowships and internships for undergraduates across the country increased students' uncertainty about their educational opportunities and careers. When the pandemic necessitated elimination of on-campus programming at Mayo Clinic, a new program was developed for remote delivery. Summer Foundations in Research (SFIR) was drafted around 4 aims: 1) support the academic trajectory gap in research science created by COVID-19; 2) build sustainable scientific relationships with mentors, peers, and the community; 3) create opportunities for participants to share and address concerns with their own experiences in the pandemic; and 4) provide support for individual wellbeing. SFIR included research training, but also training in communication through generative Dialogue and resilience through Amit Sood's SMART program. 170 participants were followed for outcomes in these spaces. Knowledge of and interest in careers involving biomedical research rose significantly following SFIR. Participants' mean confidence levels in 12 Key areas of research rose between 0.08 to 1.32 points on a 7-point scale. The strongest gains in mean confidence levels were seen in designing a study and collaborating with others. SFIR participants demonstrated gains in perceived happiness, and measured resilience and a reduction in stress. Participants' qualitative responses indicated exceptionally positive mentor relationships and specific benefit of both the SMART program and Dialogue.
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