UVA Cancer Center seeks community members

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (WDBJ) – UVA Cancer Center is looking for community members to partner with researchers to help fight cancer.

This is not a clinical trial, but a collaboration between researchers and the public on cancer research.

“We try to match community cancer researchers with their lab based on their interests,” said Marquita Taylor, associate director for diversity, equity and inclusion at the UVA Cancer Center.

Taylor said the projects they’ll be assigned to can range from tobacco and smoking cessation research to breast cancer research and everything in between.

newly launched Community Cancer Research Scholars program It is a 10-month paid program.

The aim is to equip participants with the skills to be fair participants in cancer research, according to a news release from UVA Health.

After initial training, participants will be paired with researchers to share their perspectives and expertise, gain hands-on experience and build trust as active research partners, according to UVA Health.

“Community members have diverse backgrounds and valuable lived experiences, leading to more effective research outcomes that truly address the health needs of the community.” said Wendy Cohn, PhD, associate director of the UVA Cancer Center’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement.

The program is open to individuals who are passionate about public health. No prior cancer experience or knowledge is required, but participants are required to attend in-person sessions in Charlottesville and participate in this program for up to five hours per week.

“Fellows will be valuable members of a research team who will help shape our work using their unique perspectives,” Taylor said. “They might spend one day in a research lab and the next day gathering ideas from their community.

To apply to be a scholarship holder; Click here.