A large part of TRIO is the networking component and connection to our R25 (Research Education Programs) programs that support research education activities in the mission areas of KUH. Engaging our R25 students with our TRIO trainees helps to enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation’s biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs. We are fortunate that our TRIO academic institutions also have R25 programs.

In the Fall, TRIO and R25 trainees from UNC, Wake Forest, and Duke met at a central location for dinner and engagement. Several R25 undergraduates from all 3 programs were in attendance, in addition to several program faculty. A few TRIO trainees participated in a panel to speak about their education/research journeys.  Ben Catanese and Jennifer Varner from Duke, Sumaiya Nazli from WF, and Sarah McLarnon from UNC came with tons of energy and were willing to generously share some of their successes and challenges, including some touching, humbling, and humorous moments.

The undergraduate trainees became quite engaged and asked some great questions! It was a fantastic evening that really exemplified the potential of our R25 programs and TRIO individually and together. Peer and near-peer mentoring, building a strong pipeline, and developing a vibrant cohort of trainees were all in motion.