UMass Chan launches program to help diversify health sciences

Courtesy | UMass Chan Medical School Edith Mensah Otabil (middle, second from right) and Dr. David McManus, (middle, far right), with members of the McManus lab

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By Sam Bonacci

A lab at UMass Chan Medical School in Worcester has launched a new program that aims to help increase diversity in health sciences.

The Pipeline for Underrepresented Students in Medicine, or PRISM, will operate out of the lab of Dr. David McManus, professor of medicine at the school. Edith Mensah Otabil, clinical research coordinator in the McManus lab, helped create the program, according to a release from the school.

The paid, noncredit clinical research opportunity in the Department of Medicine is open to students and alumni of Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts schools. The goal is to expose undergraduate and postgraduate students from diverse backgrounds who are traditionally underrepresented in medicine to clinical research methods, according to the release.

“People of color, or people who are underrepresented in medicine, encounter several systemic and historical barriers in pursuit of their aspirations,” Otabil said. “They might not have the right mentorship, or people to look up to who can inspire them to reach for the stars in whatever STEM field they desire.”

The deadline to apply for this program is March 15. Those who are interested can submit an application through the UMass Chan website.

The McManus lab primarily focuses on research related to COVID-19 rapid diagnostic devices, cardiovascular diseases, and digital health medicine.