CTSA K12 Program at Einstein-Montefiore

ABSTRACT This application seeks to continue a longstanding CTSA-supported career development program to identify, nurture, and support dedicated and talented health professionals and scientists so that they obtain the knowledge and skills they need to build successful, impactful careers as clinical/translational investigators and leaders in translational science. The Einstein-Montefiore program has consistently identified a large number of highly capable applicants and has appointed, supported, and nurtured outstanding Scholars who have gone on to achieve great success. Our 53 graduates have published over 1800 scientific publications and obtained over $90 million in research funding. We have done this through a carefully constructed series of programmatic educational activities coupled with each Scholar’s research activities, conducted under the watchful eyes of a Scholar-selected mentoring team (with co-mentors who bridge a translational divide). We are proposing a robust mentor training initiative for all K12 mentors, emphasizing the unique responsibilities of translational co- mentoring. In the current application, we are building upon this successful track record and instituting several new program initiatives and priorities, including a renewed focus on diversity (with an expansive definition that includes diversity of race, ethnicity, gender, and professional background). We have committed to professional diversity through the planned appointment of our first PhD-trained Nurse-Investigator, and racial/ethnic diversity by prioritizing appointments of Scholars from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine and science. In addition to these priorities regarding the characteristics of the Scholars, we are also highlighting 2 areas of research focus while retaining the non-categorical nature of this program: research in the ‘brain sciences,’ and health equity research. To support all Scholars, we have also created a new position of Associate Director for Student Support, who will provide a safe space for Scholars to create, monitor, and revise their Individual Development Plans (IDPs) and to help Scholars successfully navigate any challenges. We have also developed new curricula in communication skills, leadership development, and entrepreneurship, along with new courses in data science. The mission of our career development program is aligned with the theme of our companion UM1 application, “Building Bridges in the Bronx and Beyond,” emphasizing research collaborations among our medical school, health system, and the communities both institutions serve. With our new leadership team and programmatic enhancements, we will build upon the successes of the past and prepare our Scholars to make important new discoveries and advance the discipline of translational science