Abstract B089: Impact of cancer research education and training to reduce health disparities in the Pacific

Abstract Despite experiencing some of the most disproportionate cancer morbidity and mortality rates, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have historically been underrepresented in cancer research. A partnership between the University of Guam (UOG) and the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center (UHCC) was established in 2003 to reduce cancer health disparities in the Pacific. Over the years, the partnership, known as the Pacific Island Partnership for Cancer Health for Everyone, has worked with communities in Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands including American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Republic of Palau, and Republic of the Marshall Islands. One of the partnership’s objectives is to develop cancer health disparities researchers through its Research Education Core (REC) which was established to help students obtain a formal degree in a cancer health disparities related field at UOG or the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. An emphasis was placed on building research skills in conducting cancer research, attending scientific meetings, authoring scientific manuscripts, participating in training seminars and mentorship activities, and engaging with community partners. Since 2009, the REC has supported 94 trainees—73% of whom are women. Sixty-one students were engaged in research at UOG (64%) and 33 at UHCC (36%). Of these, 90% earned degrees in health-related fields, including bachelor’s degrees (23), master’s degrees (46), and doctoral degrees (17), primarily in epidemiology or public health. Post-graduation, most doctoral alumni reported being currently employed in academic research (64%), clinical/medical research (12%), public sector research (12%), non-profit work (6%), or in transition (6%). All trainees had access to partnership sponsored seminars such as weekly talks on cancer health disparities, training via monthly biostatistics clinics, and research experiences such as working with other partnership projects or analyzing data from the local cancer registries or cohorts. Trainees also received structured mentorship and opportunities to engage with community partners and present their work at conferences. The longstanding partnership between UOG and UHCC has developed research capacity in the Pacific. The partnership has also contributed to the development of a new course in cancer health disparities at UOG to increase trainees’ exposure. Continuation of this research education and training model is critical for the sustainability of the workforce needed to eliminate cancer health disparities in the Pacific. Citation Format: Yvette C. Paulino, Sara Bolduc, Thaddeus Herzog, Kayli D. Lizama, Kathleen Plaza, Gertraud Maskarinec. Impact of cancer research education and training to reduce health disparities in the Pacific [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 18th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2025 Sep 18-21; Baltimore, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B089.