Vermund Sten H, Hamilton Erica L, Griffith Sam B, Jennings Larissa, Dyer Typhanye V, Mayer Kenneth, Wheeler Darrell
1 Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale School of Public Health , New Haven, Connecticut.
2 FHI 360 , Durham, North Carolina.
AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2018 Feb;34(2):171-177. doi: 10.1089/AID.2017.0093. Epub 2017 Dec 20.
Most U.S. investigators in the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) have been of majority race/ethnicity and sexual orientation. Research participants, in contrast, have been disproportionately from racial/ethnic minorities and men who have sex with men (MSM), reflecting the U.S. epidemic. We initiated and subsequently evaluated the HPTN Scholars Program that mentors early career investigators from underrepresented minority groups. Scholars were affiliated with the HPTN for 12-18 months, mentored by a senior researcher to analyze HPTN study data. Participation in scientific committees, trainings, protocol teams, and advisory groups was facilitated, followed by evaluative exit surveys. Twenty-six trainees have produced 17 peer-reviewed articles to date. Research topics typically explored health disparities and HIV prevention among black and Hispanic MSM and at-risk black women. Most scholars (81% in the first five cohorts) continued HIV research after program completion. Alumni reported program-related career benefits and subsequent funding successes. Their feedback also suggested that we must improve the scholars' abilities to engage new research protocols that are developed within the network. Mentored engagement can nurture the professional development of young researchers from racial/ethnic and sexual minority communities. Minority scientists can benefit from training and mentoring within research consortia, whereas the network research benefits from perspectives of underrepresented minority scientists.
美国艾滋病预防试验网络（HPTN）的大多数研究人员都属于多数种族/族裔和性取向。相比之下，研究参与者中，来自少数种族/族裔以及男男性行为者（MSM）的比例过高，这反映了美国的艾滋病流行情况。我们启动并随后评估了HPTN学者计划，该计划指导来自代表性不足的少数群体的早期职业研究人员。学者们与HPTN合作12 - 18个月，由一位资深研究人员指导，以分析HPTN的研究数据。我们促进他们参与科学委员会、培训、方案团队和咨询小组，随后进行评估性离职调查。到目前为止，26名学员已发表了17篇同行评审文章。研究主题通常探讨黑人和西班牙裔男男性行为者以及高危黑人女性中的健康差异和艾滋病预防。大多数学者（前五批学员中的81%）在项目结束后继续从事艾滋病研究。校友们报告了与项目相关的职业益处以及随后的资金成功情况。他们的反馈还表明，我们必须提高学者参与网络内制定的新研究方案的能力。有指导的参与可以促进来自种族/族裔和性少数群体社区的年轻研究人员的职业发展。少数族裔科学家可以从研究联盟内部的培训和指导中受益，而网络研究则受益于代表性不足的少数族裔科学家的观点。
