Training in Genomics Research (TiGeR)

The Training in Genomics Research (TiGeR) program represents a targeted effort to expand access to genomics and bioinformatics training for students from historically underrepresented groups. Based in Arizona State University’s School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences within the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, TiGeR has been awarded $1.2 million over five years from the National Human Genome Research Institute, a branch of the NIH. As a subaward investigator on the project, Assistant Professor Kim Bussey of Midwestern University contributes to a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort to recruit, support and mentor students who bring strong quantitative backgrounds yet have little to no prior experience with genomics data sets.

The TiGeR program integrates genomics research training into New College’s existing master’s degree in biological data science by creating a new, intensive track. The track combines in-person, hands-on exposure to genomics data sets and bioinformatics tool sets with mentored research experiences. Bussey’s role as a subaward investigator is situated within this mentorship network, joining campus faculty whose expertise spans wet lab and field research, data science, genetics, genomics and bioinformatics.

TiGeR is expressly designed to support students who hold undergraduate degrees in computer science, mathematics or statistics and who are seeking retraining or upskilling for careers in genomics research. The program seeks to bridge the skills gap emerging in the biomedical and biosciences industries by equipping candidates from racial, gender and ethnic minority groups, individuals with disabilities and those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged with the technical and research skills necessary to participate meaningfully in genomics science. Recognizing that attrition in graduate education commonly stems from financial and programmatic barriers rather than academic failure, TiGeR provides comprehensive financial support: tuition and education-related research expenses, health insurance, travel funding for conferences and stipends to ease students’ financial burdens while they pursue advanced training.

The program situates trainees within the growing biomedical and biosciences hub in metro Phoenix, leveraging proximity to industry partners for collaboration, infrastructure access and experiential learning. For Bussey and other mentors, this environment offers opportunities to couple computational training with practical, translational perspectives relevant to diagnostics, therapeutic strategies and clinical decision-making enabled by genomics. TiGeR’s model emphasizes both technical capacity-building and the development of diverse future thought leaders in genomics by ensuring sustained mentorship and measurable support.