African Americans, Hispanics, and other minority groups are significantly underrepresented in the field of biomedical research. This disparity is even more pronounced among the research-based faculty of universities, non-profit institutions, and commercial research entities than it is for practicing physicians, nurses, and dentists.

To address this disparity, the EXPORT Project has created two research education programs aimed at enhancing the research experience and skills of early career African American and Hispanic biomedical researchers: the Undergrad Research Program, and the Career Pathways for Minority Scientists program.

A second means of addressing the disparities in the involvement of minorities in biomedical research fields is the academic pipeline established by the EXPORT Center. This pipeline includes two separate but complementary programs: STARS and STRIPES. These programs are aimed at younger potential scientists--STRIPES targets rising 10th graders, STARS targets rising 11th graders. Participants in these programs are trained in the basics of scientific method and research techiques, along with the foundational sciences.

Finally, the Discovery Program is a preparatory program for 4th through 6th-graders meant to raise their interest in careers in the medical and health care fields. Reaching out to kids early on and providing them with early academic reinforcement will help ensure that they do well later in high school, college, and hopefully even graduate school.