THRIVING
August 2024
CUBE: Leading the Way in Collaborative Biostatistics
Dr. Alexandra Hanlon, iTHRIV Research Methods Core Co-Director at Virginia Tech (VT), is the Principal Investigator on a $1.25 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA] and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [NIAAA]) to lead the Collaborative Undergraduate Biostatistics Experience (CUBE). CUBE is an eight-week summer program designed for underrepresented undergraduate students in STEM to diversify and bring awareness to the profession of collaborative biostatistics. This summer, Dr. Hanlon and her team, along with Dr. Sarah Ratcliffe's team from the University of Virginia (UVA), hosted their first full cohort of students.
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Mission and Evolution of CUBE
CUBE's mission is to highlight the important role of collaborative biostatisticians in translational science and to diversify the profession. Dr. Hanlon aims to inspire and equip the next generation of biostatisticians, emphasizing that diversity within the profession broadens perspectives, enhances problem-solving abilities, and fosters innovation in health sciences.
Since its inception in 2021 with a single student at Virginia Tech, CUBE has grown significantly. By 2022, the program expanded to four students, with two each at VT in Roanoke and UVA in Charlottesville. Based on participant feedback, the program was refined for 2023, hosting five students across both sites under a new NIH award and iTHRIV funding. This summer, seven students were hosted at VT under the NIH R25, with two additional students at UVA supported by the R25 and UVA’s Division of Biostatistics. Students at both sites received the same technical training and professional development series and had the opportunity to apply their knowledge to collaborative research projects with mentors from Virginia Tech.
Diverse and Talented Cohort
This year’s students represented Duke, Florida State, Juniata College, St. Olaf College, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and Washington and Lee University. The cohort was notably diverse, including students from various racial and ethnic backgrounds, disadvantaged backgrounds, neurodiverse individuals, and a significant proportion identifying as LGBTQIA+.
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Additionally, this year's cohort included students who are first-generation U.S.-born and first-generation college students.
Collaborative Research Projects and Mentorship
Students formed three teams to work on collaborative projects, culminating in oral presentations and participation in poster symposiums at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg and the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (FBRI) in Roanoke. The success of the CUBE program is attributed to dedicated mentorship from both content and biostatistics experts. At Virginia Tech, biostatistics mentors included Alex Hanlon, Alicia Lozano, Monica Ahrens, Tanner Barbour, Alex Goebel, Chris Grubb, Muyao (Jenny) Lin, and Emmanuel Nartey. Content mentors included Drs. Brooks Casas, Pearl Chiu, Alex DiFeliceantonio (2020-2022 iTHRIV Scholar alum), and Jeff Stein. At UVA, biostatistics mentors included Dr. Sarah Ratcliffe, Ms. Genevieve Lyons, and Dr. Marieke Jones.
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Three student teams tackled innovative projects:
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Jackie Gregasavitch, Genevieve Jean-Pierre, and Sarah Lathrop worked with Dr. Alex DiFeliceantonio on a project using Reddit data to examine GLP-1 agonists, taste changes, and mental health mentions. This project won first place at the FBRI’s 5th Annual Summer Research Symposium for visual elements and knowledge acquisition, and second place for oral presentation of their research posters.
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Genevieve Brunner, Maggie Brooks, and Julia Neres collaborated with Dr. Jeff Stein to study the effects of price, user type, and nicotine strength on e-cigarette demand. This project, along with the GLP-1 project, will be submitted for peer-reviewed publication.
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Chloe Burt, Miriam Sack, and Grayson Weavil worked with Drs. Brooks Casas and Pearl Chiu to examine the mediating and moderating role of trust on the relationship between social isolation and mental health outcomes. Results from this work will support an upcoming NIH R01 grant submission due in August.
Student Experiences and Program Impact
Students expressed their appreciation for the professional development sessions and hands-on collaborative research experience. Julia Neres highlighted the value of working with graduate student mentors and investigators on real-world projects, as well as observing professional biostatisticians at work, stating, "CUBE gave me a lot of insight into what I would be learning in graduate school and how academia works. Working on the research project gave me a sense of confidence in applying the methods and tools we learned. As a field, I now understand how the research process works, which was completely new to me; so even if I end up doing something outside of biostatistics, like applied public policy, now I have a grasp on where the research came from, and why it is rigorous or perhaps not.”
Evaluation metrics collected at pre- and post-program demonstrated significant improvements in students' research knowledge and experience, understanding of graduate school processes, and career opportunities in biostatistics. Students reported increased confidence and readiness for future research endeavors, emphasizing the program's positive impact on their academic and professional trajectories. Previous CUBE alumni have gone on to prestigious graduate programs in biostatistics, business analytics, public health, and data science, showcasing the program's effectiveness in preparing students for advanced studies and careers in STEM fields.
Looking Forward
Reflecting on CUBE Summer 2024, the program's mission to diversify and bring awareness to collaborative biostatistics is clearly succeeding. The program's growth aligns with the rising importance of
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biostatistics in translational science and public health, and the value of diverse perspectives in research. The achievements of CUBE students in innovative projects, competitions, and future endeavors highlight the impact of opportunities and mentorship in STEM. Moving forward, CUBE is committed to fostering an inclusive environment that educates and empowers the next generation of biostatisticians. Together, we are building a more equitable and effective scientific community, ready to tackle pressing health challenges with creativity, expertise, and a commitment to health equity.
The CUBE program is generously supported by a host of funding partners, including the NIH R25 award (R25DA058482), AbbVie, UVA’s Department of Public Health Sciences, and VT’s College of Science and Department of Statistics. The NIH R25 award at VT will support 8-10 students per year over the next four years, with near-term plans to seek additional funding to expand the program at UVA.
