Dalton Scott, M.P.H., RN, a Ph.D. in nursing science student at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, was a 2024 recipient of the F31 Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (NRSA) from the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). “This fellowship will allow me to begin a program of research focused on the intergenerational effects of childhood trauma in an under-resourced population,” he said. “I’m incredibly thankful for the support of my mentorship team and excited to start on this project that will lay the foundation for my career as a nurse scientist.”
The award supports Scott’s research on intergenerational and cultural drivers of depressive symptoms in Hispanic sexual minority youth. “Receiving an F31 from the NIH is a tremendous accomplishment that recognizes the student’s potential as an emerging scientist” said Scott’s study sponsor, Dr. Guillermo “Willy” Prado, Interim Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at the University of Miami and professor at the School of Nursing and Health Studies whose NIH-supported scholarship on family-based preventive interventions and Hispanic adolescents is internationally recognized.
Scott is also a research assistant on a study led by Dr. Prado, titled “Promoting Health and Reducing Risk among Hispanic Sexual Minority Youth and their Families” (R01MD017588). In addition to his current work, Scott participated as a trainee in the 2023 cohort of the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Training (MHRT) grant, a Research Training on Health Disparities research initiative funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities of the NIH.
During his time in the MHRT program, Scott collaborated with Nuevos Rumbos Corporation in Colombia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to investigating and preventing high-social-relevance issues, such as drug use among adolescents and juvenile delinquency. His work with this organization allowed him to contribute to international health research and prevention efforts, further enriching his understanding of minority health disparities.
“I saw MHRT as an incredible opportunity to conduct research internationally in areas I’m interested in—migrant health and health disparities,” said Scott. “In collaboration with a renowned group of researchers, I helped on a study exploring the mental health and migration experiences of Venezuelan parent-adolescent dyads, a topic I’m especially passionate about. I also helped on another study exploring the intangible costs associated with substance use and its impact on family life. Overall, the experience solidified my desire to pursue my research interests.”
