By: Richard L. Smith
Students at Kean University will soon have expanded opportunities to conduct research addressing disparities in maternal and infant health following the creation of a new endowment funded by Wellpoint.
According to a press release from Wellpoint, the organization has established the Wellpoint Health Research Award Endowment to support student-led research focused on Black maternal and infant health.
The program will operate through the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research, which studies policy and social issues impacting urban communities.
Officials said the award is designed to encourage Kean students to engage in research that increases understanding of maternal and infant health disparities while helping inform policies that affect communities both within the university’s region and beyond.
Wellpoint leaders indicated that the investment reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes in urban communities through partnerships with educational institutions.
Research supported by the program is expected to explore areas such as reproductive health, maternal care, and other issues related to maternal and child health.
The $50,000 endowment, established through the Kean University Foundation, will fund an annual award for a junior, senior, or graduate student maintaining at least a 3.0 grade point average and majoring in biological sciences, statistical science, public health, or sociology.
Selected students will work alongside researchers at the Watson Institute on project-based studies examining public health challenges and contributing data and insights that may help shape policy discussions.
University officials said the partnership highlights Kean’s expanding role in research initiatives that address real-world issues while giving students hands-on experience in applied research.
The findings produced through the program will also support the Watson Institute’s broader efforts to study conditions affecting urban communities and translate research into policy recommendations for leaders and decision-makers.
Wellpoint representatives visited Kean’s campus earlier this month to formally present the gift and recognize the partnership with the university.