New York Consortium for Interdisciplinary Training in Kidney, Urological and Hematological Research (NYC Train KUHR)

Abstract In this proposal we will use the new NIDDK Institutional Network Award (U2C/TL1) to develop a training program in kidney, urologic or hematologic (KUH) research that differs from the traditional approach of specialization in one of these disciplines by creating a dynamic, interdisciplinary KUH training program. Our overarching goal is to provide an educational environment that fosters the development of a new cadre of KUH investigators with a broad-based, interdisciplinary understanding of KUH research. To achieve this goal, we propose the development of a “New York Consortium for Interdisciplinary Training in Kidney, Urological and Hematological Research”, the “NYC Train KUHR”. This training program will bring together investigators from four of the leading medical schools in the NYC metropolitan area; the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. The NYC Train KUHR will include over 100 preceptors across the four institutions with varied and complementary research expertise, thereby breaking down traditional silos that exist between the KUH disciplines and institutions. At full capacity the consortium will train 9 pre-doctoral and 16 post-doctoral trainees. The training is supported by 4 Cores: the Administrative, Professional Development, Networking and Training Cores. The Administrative Core will include a 3 Core Leaders, a Director of Recruitment and Admissions, a Pilot Projects Program Coordinator, a Diversity Officer, a Wellness Officer, a Program Evaluator and an administrator and administrative assistant to support the missions of NYC Train KUHR. The Administrative Core will use frequent communication to achieve its goals including facilitate monthly meetings of the Executive Committee and meetings of the other Committees. The Administrative Core’s Specific Aims are to (1) support the leadership team and missions of the NYC Train KUHR Networking, Professional Development and Training Cores; (2) organize and support the meetings and work of the committees supporting the missions of the NYC Train KUHR program; (3) maintain a robust evaluation program that fosters the continuous improvement of the Cores; (4) organize and manage an intramural NYC Train KUHR pilot project award program to incentivize interdisciplinary collaborations, and (5) organize an annual meeting between all awardees across the United States that are funded by NIDDK U2C/TL1 awards, with the goal to further promote interdisciplinary interactions and networking among all KUH trainees. The national meeting will include research presentations by trainees and multiple networking and professional development opportunities. This Administrative Core will provide the support necessary for NYC Train KUHR to provide outstanding and innovative interdisciplinary training in KUH research.