The Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) is pleased to announce the inaugural recipients of its Access for Students to Clinical Research Training (ASCRT) Scholarship program, which has aimed its first round of $5,000 scholarships at students from underrepresented groups who are enrolled in a community college, four-year college, or master’s-level program in clinical research.
Funded through ACRP’s Ride4DEI, the clinical research industry’s premier cycling challenge, with recipients being selected by members of the ACRP Diversity Advisory Council, the ASCRT Scholarship initiative addresses the issue of insufficient representation and diversity within the clinical research workforce by providing crucial financial assistance to underrepresented minority students. The program was announced last fall by ACRP and attracted 71 applicants for the 2024 funding opportunity.
The six recipients of the first ASCRT Scholarships are:
Oghenetanure Ryan Enaworu, MD, MICHA
Ryan is an experienced medical doctor who has demonstrated his proficiency at the intersection of clinical practice, public health, humanitarian efforts, and research. Presently, he is fulfilling his lifelong ambition by pursuing an advanced master’s in clinical research at the University of California San Diego, scheduled for completion by June 2024. Additionally, he holds a master’s degree in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid.
Skylar McCarty
Skylar graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a bachelor’s degree in Biopsychology and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Applied Life Sciences at the Keck Graduate Institute. Inspired by personal experiences, she is focusing her thesis on addressing healthcare disparities for African-American chronic kidney disease patients. She is passionate about advocating for equitable healthcare access, fostering diversity, and promoting community engagement in clinical research.
Esther Abosede Samuel
Esther is a dedicated and passionate student pursuing an MSc in Biological Sciences (Microbial Genetics and Biotechnology with a focus on Prostate Cancer and Microbiome study) at Covenant University. With a deep-seated commitment to excellence and a drive for continuous learning, Esther aspires to make meaningful contributions to the field of clinical research.
Evette Trahan, CCRC
Evette is a certified clinical research coordinator (CCRC®) working as a project manager at the University of Central Florida in gerontology research. She has more than 10 years of clinical research experience, and is pursuing a master’s degree in Research Administration with the goals of continuing to serve undergraduate students and older adults in Central Florida and helping improve access to clinical research opportunities for underrepresented communities.
Martha Toral
As a first-generation college student, Martha has earned a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology with a minor in Chemistry. After 10 years of working with students from marginalized communities in higher education, she shifted her career path toward supporting clinical trials and contributing to the improvement of healthcare and advancing science. She is now enrolled in the MS program for Medical Product Development and Management at San Jose State University and working at Stanford’s School of Medicine as an oncology clinical research coordinator.
Dy’mon Walker
Dy’mon received her bachelor’s degree in 2018 from Morgan State University, where she majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in clinical research at the University of Arizona and is eager to affect change in the field. Diverse research is important to her, and she aims to help bridge the divide between clinical research education and access in underserved communities.
By offering scholarships to minority students, ACRP seeks to create a more diverse clinical research workforce that better reflects the demographics of the populations being studied in clinical trials. This increased diversity will enhance cultural competence, improve the relevance of research findings for diverse communities, and ultimately lead to more effective healthcare outcomes for all.
“We are delighted to be able to provide financial assistance to these six talented students and, in doing so, to begin breaking down societal and professional barriers and nurturing the diverse leaders who will drive innovation and transformative change in clinical research tomorrow,” said Ashley Moultrie, Chair, ACRP Diversity Advisory Council.
“Congratulations to the members of this first group of ASCRT scholarship recipients,” added Sergio Armani, ACRP Ride4DEI founder. “We are pleased to have them add their commitment to driving positive change within the clinical research industry to the work of ACRP to create a more inclusive and dynamic clinical research landscape.”
Edited by Gary Cramer
