• Nov 15 2024

DREAM-SPARK Luncheon Fosters Mentorship, Collaboration among Health Equity Researchers

Seven participants in the DREAM and SPARK programs stand side by side in a conference room.

Xian Wu, Jillian Silva-Jones, Keyoncee Washington, Botshelo Angoma, Anna Maria South, and Cheavar Blair. Photo provided. 
 

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 15, 2024) — Health equity researchers ranging from undergraduates to faculty members gathered last month to foster collaboration and mentorship at the biannual luncheon of the DREAM and SPARK programs.

The Disparities Researchers Equalizing Access for all comMunities(DREAM) Scholars Program supports the training of exceptional pre-docs, post-docs, and assistant professors who are committed to health equity research. During the two-year program, each DREAM Scholar works with a mentor to create an Individual Development Plan, and the community of other scholars provides exposure to multidisciplinary research and clinical and translational science.  Scholars also receive a small amount of funding for pilot research and travel funds.

SPARK (Students Participating as Ambassadors for Research in Kentucky) trains undergraduate students from the University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University in how to conduct research, from designing a study and submitting IRB applications to presenting their findings at a conference. Participants, called SPARKlers, receive extensive mentorship from UK experts and community partners as well as a stipend to implement health equity research in their home communities.

At the luncheons, SPARKlers present on their research projects (including methods, research question, data collection, and challenges) and receive feedback from DREAM Scholars, faculty mentors, and DREAM Program leadership. DREAM Scholars also present their research so that SsPARKlers can learn about an array of health disparity research.

Two SPARKlers and one DREAM Scholar presented their research at the Fall 2024 luncheon:

  • Botshelo Angoma (SPARK) presented "The Role of Adverse Childhood Experiences in COVID-19 Trauma and its Influence on Cognitive and Mental Health outcomes in Young Adults."
  • Anna Maria South, MD, (DREAM) presented "The American Disabilities Act and How It Applies to People with Opioid Use Disorder"
  • Keyoncee Washington (SPARK) presented "The Impact of Adultification Bias on Academic Success and Self-image"

The next luncheon will be in March to help the SPARK students prepare their presentations for the 2025 CCTS Spring Conference.  

“This is an event we started two years ago to foster collaboration between the DREAM and SPARK programs. It has really created a space for mentorship and professional development among generations of health equity researchers,” said Robert Bell, MA, a research project manager with the CCTS.

 

Photo of a young Black man giving a presentation to several people at a conference table. There's a digital screen behind him, displaying information about his research, and he's gesturing with his hands as he speaks.
Botshelo Angoma, a SPARKler, presents his research.
A young Black woman gives a research presentation to a several people sitting around a conference table. She is standing at the front of the room next to a digital screen displaying her presenation. She's wearing a white suit jacket and glasses, with long black hair.
Keyoncee Washington, a SPARKler, presents her research.

 

Media Contact: Mallory Profeta, mallory.profeta@gmail.com

 

 

 

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