About Us
The Science Participation Resource Center (SPRC) is dedicated to increasing diversity in all aspects of health research and we see this as a matter of social justice.
As we move closer to the reality of personalized medicine, it is crucial for medical research to include all communities.
We strive to increase this representation by working on community engagement in research, research literacy, storytelling, and language inclusion in research among other areas.
In 2016, the Science Participation Resource Center (SPRC) was established under the UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science (UMCCTS) with a four year grant from the National Institute of Health.
The mission of the Science Participation Resource Center is to increase engagement of special populations in applying medical research in real settings through tailored, culturally responsive strategies. We define special populations as those under-represented in translational research because of age (i.e., pediatrics, geriatrics), race/ethnicity, low socioeconomic status, geographic location (rural or urban), or being Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender (LGBT).
To learn more, go to our expanded website by clicking here!
Contact Us
Administration
Dr. Jeroan Allison, Academic PI
Germán Chiriboga, MPH, Program Director
Geraldine Puerto, Research Coordinator
Brooke Staples, Research Coordinator
Special Population Consultation
Dr. Milagros Rosal, Academic PI
Cultural Competency Training
Dr. Melissa Fischer, Academic PI
Community and Patient Participation
Joanne Calista, Center for Health Impact, Community PI
Martha Benitez, Center for Health Impact, Community PI
Special Emphasis: Pediatrics and Geriatrics
UMass Center for Clinical and Translational Science, grant # UL1-TR001453