Melinda Smith, a doctoral student in the Interdisciplinary Health program, was selected to participate in the Tribal Researchers’ Cancer Control Fellowship Program (TRCCFP).
Smith is a graduate research assistant for the Center for Health Equity Research in the Interdisciplinary Health doctoral program and a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
As a TRCCFP fellow, Smith will attend a two-week cancer control research training in the summer followed by a one-week training in the fall.
“In general, my dissertation will focus on the comorbidity of type 2 diabetes and cancer in a American Indian population,” Smith said. “I am confident that this fellowship will provide me with knowledge, skills, and potential mentorship that will aid me in developing and successfully completing my dissertation project.”
The TRCCFP is supported by the Northwest Native American Research Centers for Health program, the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board and the Oregon Health & Science University Prevention Research Center.
The fellowship is supported by NCI which awarded funds to Portland Indian Health board.
“I hope to learn more about cancer control research in general, including successful methods and approaches to conducting cancer related research in AI/AN communities,” Smith said. “I also look forward to gaining insight and guidance from veteran cancer control researchers.”