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Impact of COVID-19 on the Research Career Advancement of Health Equity Scholars from Diverse Backgrounds

Author

Listed:
  • Adriana Báez

    (Departments Pharmacology and Otolaryngology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00936, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Muhammed Y. Idris

    (Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, and Clinical Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Kimberly Lawson

    (Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, and Clinical Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Mohamed Mubasher

    (Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, and Clinical Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA)

  • Yulia Strekalova

    (Departments of Epidemiology and Health Services Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Keith Green

    (Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, and Clinical Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA)

  • Priscilla Pemu

    (Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, and Clinical Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA)

  • Jonathan K. Stiles

    (Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, and Clinical Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA)

  • Martiza Salazar

    (Department of Organization and Management, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA)

  • Alexander Quarshie

    (Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, and Clinical Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA)

  • Lee S. Caplan

    (Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, and Clinical Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA)

  • Ernest Alema-Mensah

    (Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, and Clinical Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA)

  • Thomas Pearson

    (Departments of Epidemiology and Health Services Research, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Jessica Faupel-Badger

    (National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20850, USA)

  • Jeffrey A. Engler

    (Council of Graduate Schools, Washington, DC 20036, USA)

  • Elizabeth O. Ofili

    (Departments of Medicine, Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology, and Clinical Research Center, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30310, USA)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly taxed scientific research and seems to have exacerbated existing inequities within the research field, particularly for early-stage investigators (ESIs). This study examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on traditionally underrepresented ESIs enrolled in an NIH-supported study evaluating the effectiveness of developmental networks, grant writing coaching, and mentoring on research career advancement. The survey consisted of 24 closed-ended (quantitative) and 4 open-ended questions (qualitative) linked to a participant’s ability to meet grant submission deadlines, research and professional development disruptions, stress level, career transition level, self-efficacy and management of scholarly tasks, and familial responsibilities. Results from 32 respondents (53%) suggest that COVID-19 adversely impacted the continuity of research (81%) and grant submissions (63%). On average, grant submissions were delayed by 6.69 months (i.e., greater than one grant cycle). We also conducted additional analyses characterizing nonresponse and found that there were no significant predictors of nonresponse, indicating a limited threat to the validity of our findings. The disruption caused by COVID-19 to the careers of ESIs from underrepresented groups in the biomedical workforce has been profound in the short term. The long-term consequences to the future success of these groups are unknown but is a worthwhile area of research and potential innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Adriana Báez & Muhammed Y. Idris & Kimberly Lawson & Mohamed Mubasher & Yulia Strekalova & Keith Green & Priscilla Pemu & Jonathan K. Stiles & Martiza Salazar & Alexander Quarshie & Lee S. Caplan & Er, 2023. "Impact of COVID-19 on the Research Career Advancement of Health Equity Scholars from Diverse Backgrounds," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:6:p:4750-:d:1090753
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kyle R. Myers & Wei Yang Tham & Yian Yin & Nina Cohodes & Jerry G. Thursby & Marie C. Thursby & Peter Schiffer & Joseph T. Walsh & Karim R. Lakhani & Dashun Wang, 2020. "Unequal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on scientists," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(9), pages 880-883, September.
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