The University of California, Davis (UC Davis) received a $181,296 Project Grant award on September 9, 2024 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Trans-NIH Research Support program (CFDA 93.310). The grant supports research to advance indigenous cancer health equity through a community-centered framework. Key objectives include:
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Utilizing whole exome sequencing to identify somatic alterations associated with indigenous American genetic ancestry in Hispanic/Latino gastric cancer samples, with plans to validate relevant findings in patient-derived organoid models.
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Administering surveys and conducting focus groups to understand factors influencing participation and biospecimen donation in cancer research among American Indian/Alaskan Native communities. The findings will inform development of community engagement guidelines for biomedical research.
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Analyzing cancer risk, health behavior, and outcomes data to elucidate community-level social determinants of health driving cancer disparities in the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center catchment area. This will support interventions to improve Native community cancer health in collaboration with community partners.
The project aims to increase understanding of biological vulnerabilities and social determinants of health contributing to greater cancer incidence and mortality among American Indian/Alaskan Native populations, while establishing ethical frameworks for their meaningful engagement in cancer research.
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