We can’t be afraid to collaborate to accomplish common goals
Huntsville, Ala. – Acclinate Genetics – a minority owned, Huntsville based company, strives to achieve health equity and personalized healthcare for all by diversifying genomic data and clinical research. Acclinate Genetics has collaborated with the Alabama Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs (GOMA) to establish the Health Equity and Biotechnology Workforce Initiative. This initiative will support the 14 Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs in Alabama and compliment the current HBCU programs offered through the GOMA office.
The Initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of diversity in genomic research and clinical trials, as well as biotechnology careers.
“The collaboration with Acclinate Genetics compliments our mission to ensure inclusion of minorities, and our Alabama HBCU’s,” said Nichelle Nix, director of GOMA. “This is the perfect opportunity for us to achieve health equity and personalized healthcare for all through increased participation of minorities in genomic research, clinical trials, and biotechnology careers.”
The team will collaborate with HBCUs in Alabama to develop outreach tools to educate students, faculty and staff about the value of minority participation in genomics research and clinical trials. The landmark study commissioned by UNCF-HBCUs Make America Strong: The Positive Impact Historically Black College and Universities – makes it clear: HBCU’s are economic engines in Alabama and generate substantial economic returns year after year.
The team is also recruiting students to assist with the Initiative through Acclinate’s College Ambassadors Program. Select students will act as ambassadors and work to achieve objectives related to health equity and awareness, and biotechnology workforce development. Students can sign up online at www.acclinategenetics.com.
“Together, we represent the underrepresented” said Del Smith, PhD, Acclinate Founder and President. “It takes students, educators and community leaders to help ensure clinical research and the biotech workforce is truly as diverse as the world we live in. It’s exciting that we can all come together to achieve that goal.”
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About Acclinate Genetics: Acclinate Genetics was founded with a mission of helping clinical research organizations achieve the most representative research sample by expanding their genomic studies and clinical trials to include diverse ethnic groups. We believe diversifying genomic research and clinical trials to include more people of color increases knowledge about health issues and makes a difference in personalized healthcare for all.
About HBCU Initiative: The Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs (GOMA) established the Alabama HBCU Initiative to ensure that a continuous line of communication exists between Alabama’s HBCUs and the State of Alabama. Through its HBCU Initiative, GOMA will focus on policies and programs to maximize the economic impact of these institutions on the State of Alabama, and in turn ensure the viability and sustainability of HBCUs in the State.
