Biobanks enable the secure collection, processing, and storage of biological samples from participants. These facilities are essential for medical research, as they provide large, high-quality data sets to study the genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors behind certain diseases. The UCLA ATLAS Precision Health Program is a biobank that collects clinical and genetic data from UCLA Health patients, utilizing this genomic information to develop and test scalable strategies to better engage underrepresented populations in genetic research and biobank studies. During the course of this research, medically actionable findings, genetic results that reveal a high risk for diseases that can be prevented, treated, or managed by initiating interventions, can be identified and returned through the ATLAS Genetic Screening Program. Our research aims to understand community perspectives on returning medically actionable genetic results to biobank participants. The goal of this research is to explore how comfortable participants are with receiving such results and their perspectives on the types of information that should be disclosed. Results from this project will enable a broader understanding of the accessibility of genetic results and promote trust between biobank participants and researchers.

The UCLA MATCH (Mentorship and Advocacy in Teaching Clinical Health-Related Research) program is designed to enhance clinical research education, promote college readiness, and address STEM disparities. Built on near-peer mentorship, MATCH pairs high school students with undergraduate mentors engaged in clinical research through CTSI-RAP. We assessed outcomes across a 10-week curriculum integrating didactic instruction and mentorship. Quantitative surveys from 2025 demonstrated high engagement and interest in health pathways, with 91% of participants reporting interest in health careers and 57% in research careers. While pre- and post-assessment showed limited statistically significant gains, trends suggested improved understanding of clinical trial design, ethics, and research methods. All participants completed independent research projects, including literature reviews, health policy briefs and clinical trial proposals. Notably, 39% of participants reported shifts in post-secondary or career plans, indicating these changes were directly attributable to their experiences within the MATCH program. Qualitative responses indicated mentorship drove engagement, with increased curiosity and participation in discussions on public health and clinical research. Satisfaction was high, with 87% of mentees reporting positive experiences and 95% of mentors willing to continue mentorship. These findings support structured mentorship and project-based learning as effective approaches for early pipeline development in clinical research.

Recent immigration enforcement practices in the US under the Trump administration have caused an increased climate of fear within immigrant communities. Public narratives are actively portraying immigrants as “criminals” to justify aggressive immigration enforcement. Although research has documented the effects of immigration enforcement and the effects of fear mongering, less attention has been given to how community organizations maintain trust with immigrant families during these conditions. Our community partner, the Refugee Children Center, a nonprofit organization located in North Hills in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, provides services for refugee and immigrant children and their families. Our research also aims to answer this question: How has the Refugee Children Center's intentional focus on developing relationships with their community members allowed it to continue to serve the community in the wake of growing fear and distrust due to recent immigration actions and policies? We aim to conduct a minimum of 3 staff interviews and 10 community member interviews using a semi-structured approach. We will then use qualitative coding to define overarching themes to better understand RCC’s approach from both the staff perspective and the perspectives of those they serve.

Background: Electronic sports, otherwise known as esports, have gained increasing popularity across the globe. Higher virtual engagement has shifted gaming culture, causing esports to gain the attention of the International Olympic Committee, who have formally recognized esports as a sport. Currently, esports can be classified into two participatory methods: 1) traditional competitive gaming; and 2) active esports, where a participant physically moves and competes in a sport as part of a virtual league. As esports participation continues to grow, the imperative for inclusivity becomes increasingly urgent. Objective: The purpose of the current study is to explore barriers and facilitators to active esports participation for people with physical disabilities. Methods: Semi-structured virtual interviews were conducted with 14 people with physical disabilities, including individuals who engage in active esports and individuals who have not engaged in active esports. Data will be analyzed using thematic analysis. Discussion: It is important to acknowledge the disparities that exist within the gaming industry and actively work towards integrating inclusive programs. By understanding the experiences of people with physical disabilities, we can develop strategies to support more accessible and equitable gaming platforms. Findings will be disseminated to game developers and organizations so they can work towards increasing quality participation for people with disabilities.

Mar Vista Family Center serves a community shaped by long-standing structural inequities and more recent concerns around immigration enforcement. This research project asks: How does Mar Vista Family Center's Shared Responsibility model foster collective capacity to address community needs within the context of current immigration actions and policies? Rather than viewing support as something delivered only by an institution, this project examines how the center encourages community members to participate in leadership, advocacy, and collective action. To explore this question, our team is using a qualitative research approach grounded in interviews with staff, volunteers, and community members. We also draw on theories such as the Collective Efficacy Theory to analyze how trust, shared expectations, and community engagement shape the center's response to community challenges. Our research is ongoing, so we have yet to draw any conclusions. The significance of this project is to show that community-based organizations can foster empowerment and sustained civic participation during periods of uncertainty and can act as more than service providers, serving as community hubs where residents build agency and collective capacity.