# Advancing Cancer Workforce Capacity for American Indians and Alaska Natives: The Development of a Validated System to Optimize Trainee Participation and Outcome Tracking

## TL;DR

This paper describes a program that successfully supports American Indian and Alaska Native students in biomedical fields, tracking their progress and outcomes over 20 years.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a validated tracking system to monitor and optimize the outcomes of AIAN trainees in cancer-related education and research programs.

## Key findings

- 367 AIAN trainees participated, with 237 earning degrees across bachelors, masters, and doctoral/professional levels.
- Approximately 45% of AIAN doctoral recipients are in academic or clinical work, and 10% in industry or tribal leadership.
- Mentored research participants showed strong outcomes, with 51% attaining a degree and 34% still enrolled.

## Abstract

Although American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) students are the most underrepresented group in the U.S. in biomedical and health sciences relative to population size, little is known about long-term research education programs and outcome tracking. For over 20 years, the Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention (NACP) has been supported under the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI)-funded Comprehensive Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health Equity (CPACHE) program. Programming included hands-on mentored research and an array of development opportunities. A validated tracking system combining participation records, institutional records, and enrollment/degree attainment from the National Student Clearinghouse documents outcomes. Collectively (2002–2022) NACP engaged 367 AIAN trainees, of whom 237 individuals earned 220 bachelors, 87 masters, and 34 doctoral/professional degrees. Approximately 45% of AIAN doctoral recipients are currently engaged in academic or clinical work, and 10% in industry or tribal leadership. A total of 238 AIAN students participated in mentored research, with 85% demonstrating strong outcomes; 51% attained a degree, and 34% are currently enrolled. Implementation of a robust tracking system documented acceleration in degree attainment over time. Next steps will evaluate the most impactful training activities on student outcomes.