How non-scientists are helping cancer researchers
2 minute read | Published February 21, 2025
Medically Reviewed | Last reviewed by an MD Anderson Cancer Center medical professional on February 21, 2025
As a teenager, Sophia Russell dreamed of making the world a better place. Today, she’s doing that by improving research studies. But she’s not a scientist.
“When scientists are creating research studies that will recruit community members, it is valuable to include perspectives of that population in the planning stages. That’s where I come in,” says Russell, a program coordinator in MD Anderson’s Health Disparities Research department.
Russell is part of a team that manages MD Anderson’s Community Scientist Program. The program pairs a researcher with a group of community members who serve as a sounding board. They provide feedback on the plan to recruit study participants, the words used to describe the study to participants and even how the study is designed. Community scientists have weighed in on studies ranging from improving genetic screening for Black families to helping seniors connect with resources for physical and mental health.
One hour with a handful of community members can change the course of a research project. Russell and the team track a wide range of data about the program, and a paper they wrote on its impact was recently published in the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science. “This publication not only highlights our efforts to bridge the gap between science and the community, it also serves as a call to action for researchers to recognize the potential of community engagement,” Russell says.
Russell performs a wide range of activities to support the program and ensure that these important efforts flourish. She recruits community scientists, provides their training, coordinates and facilitates the feedback sessions, prepares researchers for the feedback sessions and much more.
While Russell has a master’s degree in public health, she puts herself in the category of non-scientists who impact research. “It’s rewarding to know that I – like all our community scientists – am helping to improve research that is aimed at reducing health care disparities,” says Russell.
Russell fondly describes her role as the program’s mom. Like every mother, she takes great pride in the growth of those in her care. “One of my favorite things is when a community member says their involvement changed their impression of research,” Russell shares. And there’s equal pride when researchers have an “aha moment” of discovery at how valuable the feedback of community members is to their scientific pursuits.
“Actions speak louder than words, and we’ve had some researchers who have come back for multiple feedback sessions, proving the value they offer,” Russell says proudly.
