Enrichment Program

Washington University, Saint Louis MO

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY ENRICHMENT PROGRAM The objectives of the Enrichment Program of the WU DDRCC are to promote and encourage scientific dialog and collaboration among Center members, to nurture and support the career development of trainees and junior faculty in digestive disease (DD)-related research, to highlight new advances that promote interest in our thematic areas, and to stimulate interactions/collaborations with other NIDDK centers and DDRCCs. KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS: In the most recent academic year (2022-23), our Enrichment program hosted and coordinated 29 internal WU faculty presentations and 15 invited external speakers. Our invited speakers address unmet needs among all communities impacted by digestive disease. We collaborate with other WU NIDDK Centers, including the Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC) and Diabetes Research Center (DRC), and across Departments (e.g., Pediatrics, Pathology and Immunology, and Molecular Microbiology) to co-sponsor annual workshops that highlight important research themes. We organize an annual career development roundtable in conjunction with our EAB visit, along with mentorship meetings and an alternate year poster presentation for all P/F awardees. The Enrichment Program also sponsors mini-sabbaticals for up to one month for trainees to visit other Centers (including DDRCCs). Finally, the Enrichment Program planned and executed the 2022 Midwest Alliance retreat (Mayo, U. Chicago, Case-Western Reserve, U. Cincinnati) with >60 attendees. SPECIFIC AIMS: (1) Coordinate a weekly seminar series on DD-related themes, with internal and external speakers and presentations from Core Directors, (2) Sponsor a panel of ~10-15 visiting researchers annually (selected by Thematic Program Co-Leaders) to stimulate new initiatives in DD; (3) Target a speaker (internal and external) list that reflects all communities and interests in DD-related research; (4) Sponsor an annual retreat, featuring speakers who address unmet needs in DD; (5) Support the career development of trainees and junior faculty pursuing careers in DD research through seminars on academic skills and meetings with visitors speakers and members of our EAB; (6) Coordinate alternate year poster presentations of P/F Awardees to coincide with EAB meeting; (7) Sponsor mini-sabbaticals for junior faculty or trainees to acquire new skills related to DD research, and to host outside investigators for extended intervals (reverse sabbaticals), if appropriate; (8) Sponsor monthly thematically related journal clubs/interest groups and a monthly meeting for P/F awardees, T32 trainees, and junior faculty to present research-in-progress and planned grant submissions; (9) Support and promote dialog with other Midwest DDRCCs through an annual meeting, specifically promoting career development for P/F Awardees and promising trainees (10) Ensure that our practices are compliant with all NIH guidelines.