Thanks to a new partnership, undergraduate students at Harris-Stowe State University will be able to enjoy a bioinformatics program! Get the full story from the HSSU release below.
The United Health Foundation, the philanthropic foundation of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), has awarded a $2 million, three-year grant to Harris-Stowe State University (HSSU) to create a bioinformatics program for undergraduate students at the historically Black university located in St. Louis. Bioinformatics is an emerging field that combines science, physics, math, and biology to aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and discovery of new therapeutic advancements. An example of bioinformatics is the use of computer analysis on the Human Genome Project, which has recorded the three billion basic pairs of the human DNA system.
HSSU will develop a new undergraduate program to train students for careers as bioinformatics professionals. HSSU will use the support to:
· Develop new curricula combining coursework and experiential learning opportunities;
· Expose high school students in surrounding school districts to the field of bioinformatics through a summer bioinformatics “boot camp” program; and
· Offer academic scholarships for up to 25 students each year.
“In the past decade, Harris-Stowe State University has emerged as a leader in training students for high-tech careers. This new program will help us to build on that important work, as well as continue to fulfill our mission of serving historically underrepresented students,” said Dr. Latonia Collins Smith, Interim President of HSSU. “Bioinformatics is a rapidly growing field of study, and it is vital for all people to play a role in its advancement.”
Studies have shown that there is a substantial gap in the number of diverse college students trained in biomedical sciences. Black, Hispanic, and Native American people account for only 7.1% of the employed biological/biomedical and life sciences workforce. A diverse health workforce is needed to provide personalized, culturally competent care to the diverse populations served.
“The United Health Foundation is honored to collaborate with Harris-Stowe State University to increase the diversity of the life sciences workforce. We are excited about HSSU training students who will make discoveries, develop therapies, and advance health care for all,” said Patrick Quinn, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Missouri, a UnitedHealth Group company. “This partnership illustrates UnitedHealth Group’s commitment to health equity and to building a diverse health workforce reflective of our society.”
The commitment in Missouri is one of many ways UnitedHealth Group is working to advance health equity by diversifying the health workforce of the future. The United Health Foundation’s Diverse Scholars Initiative, for example, partners with nine nonprofit and civic organizations and has provided over 3,000 scholarships to diverse students studying medicine and public health across the U.S. since 2007. Optum Technology, a UnitedHealth Group Company, offers a mentor-led STEM program that has provided science, technology, engineering, and mathematics training to over 7,000 diverse and underrepresented students at 103 middle and high schools since 2019.
