ORCID ID
Graduation Date
Fall 12-19-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Programs
Medical Sciences Interdepartmental Area
First Advisor
Joyce Solheim
Second Advisor
Kendra Schmid
Third Advisor
Roxanne Vandremause
Fourth Advisor
Eleanor Rogan
Abstract
Attrition rates, both while students are pursuing their doctoral degree and within five years of attaining it, are at unsustainably high levels, and it is imperative that these levels be reduced to fulfill societal needs. The interdependent psychosocial constructs of professional identity and sense of belonging have been well studied at the undergraduate level. Yet, to date there has been comparatively little research conducted on the role of these constructs at the doctoral level. The extant body of literature indicates that doctoral students with a robust professional identity and a well-developed sense of belonging are more likely to complete their terminal degree.
The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center’s Training Navigator Program was designed to improve the retention of trainees and early-stage investigators in the cancer research field by supporting scholars’ professional identity development and sense of belonging. Scholars’ development was supported via several approaches, including providing students with professional development workshops, funding for external professional development activities and conference attendance, a course in grant writing, a monthly newsletter, information on opportunities available through the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and advice on connecting with NCI Program Directors. The mixed methods case study of this program supports the current literature’s findings of the important role of professional identity and sense of belonging in doctoral students. The data show that providing biomedical doctoral students with opportunities to develop transferable skills, writing skills, career exploration, networking and interpersonal connections fortifies their professional identity and sense of belonging. Furthermore, it establishes a series of interventions that can be implemented in biomedical doctoral programs to improve retention and academic outcomes for students. Additionally, this study identifies gaps in the current literature that are a hinderance to further progress on improving retention of doctoral students.
Recommended Citation
Pocwierz-Gaines, Misty S., "Facilitating Professional Identity Development and Sense of Belonging in Cancer Research Doctoral Students" (2025). Theses & Dissertations. 1013.
https://digitalcommons.unmc.edu/etd/1013
Comments
2025 Copyright, the authors