CTSA K12 Program at the University of Michigan

University Of Michigan At Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor MI

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

The Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) career development programs have provided innovative and impactful clinical and translational research training and support to more than 90 multidisciplinary scientists from across the translational science spectrum since 2017 who have continued on to make important scientific discoveries. Over the past 15 years, our alumni have authored more than 3300 scientific papers that have generated more than 53,000 social media remarks and been included in 240 policy documents. They have also received more than $400M in research grant support. Our scholars have emerged as translational science leaders and influential mentors for those following their path as they lead translational research programs at the national level. Their efforts have contributed to solving some of the nation’s most vexing health challenges ranging from basic drug and genomic discovery to policy research addressing health challenges and the opioid crisis. MICHR’s K12 program is continually strengthened through our robust evaluation platform, which integrates critical feedback from multiple stakeholder groups to implement new competency-based educational initiatives. Our outstanding program faculty, all of which have undergone mentor training, welcome our K12 scholars into their highly successful research programs (more than $90M in extramural funds). The new MICHR K12 program will support 11 scholars annually, who are at a senior postdoctoral fellow or early faculty level, by providing new programmatic initiatives to support institutional transformation regarding the development of a successful career in translational science. Through the following areas of thematic focus, we will support each K12 scholar for two to three years as they work to gain translational research independence during their time in our program: 1) Fortify career trajectories with precision preparation in translational science and research; 2) Accelerate translation by preparing scholars to best utilize scientific social networks; 3) Prepare scholars to be versatile communicators who lead effective research teams and become science advocates. Our expected outcome is a K12 program that better prepares and equips scholars for long-term successes in conducting translational research and science, particularly after leaving our program as they secure external research support. These efforts will also allow us to continue MICHR’s legacy of building strong leaders within interdisciplinary research scientific communities across the translational science spectrum that impact human health.