University of California, San Francisco/Kaiser Permanente Northern California Division of Research Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) K12 Program

University Of California, San Francisco, San Francisco CA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Abstract 1 This competing renewal application is to support the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and 2 Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) Division of Research Building Interdisciplinary Research 3 Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) Program. The program objectives are to: 4 1. Recruit an excellent group of early-career women’s health researchers; 5 2. Provide tailored training and mentoring on sex in health; 6 3. Strengthen and integrate models of interdisciplinary research to develop researchers who foster linkages 7 across disciplines and excel in building team science to investigate multiple and complex factors; 8 4. Build upon our existing program of rigorous training and research by addressing priority topics in 9 women’s health across the lifespan; 10 5. Promote the prominence of women’s health and a strong scientific workforce by mentoring BIRCWH 11 scholars toward academic advancement and leadership. 12 The rationale of our program is that scholars’ successful careers will transform biomedical research and 13 ultimately advance women’s health in the US through sustained focus on the study of sex in health and 14 disease. The program brings together mentors and advisors from 19 UCSF departments and centers and 15 KPNC. The program design emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to a wide range of women’s health 16 issues. We will continue the program’s initiatives in path-breaking research in women’s cancers; heart, 17 metabolism, and bone health; infectious diseases; environmental health; mental health, addiction, and 18 cognition; and reproductive health across the lifespan. A multidisciplinary Advisory Committee oversees the 19 program in partnership with leadership. Our program is strengthened by mentoring teams that cross 20 disciplines and research methodologies and with dedicated faculty as mentors and advisors. Interdisciplinary 21 scholars and faculty—in terms of research area and training—are a priority. Our BIRCWH scholars are 22 supported for at least two years, with mentoring, training courses, program seminars, progress assessments, 23 leadership development activities, and networking. An array of career development and training opportunities 24 at the UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) supports our BIRCWH program. The career 25 development path for each scholar is tailored to the specific experience and mentoring that will most 26 effectively support transition to independence. Our program evaluation follows a conceptual framework of 27 important domains to scholar career development, with survey measures that assess scholar outcomes such 28 as career trajectory, scientific productivity, and BIRCWH program effectiveness for up to 10 years. The 29 program will continue to be a unique resource to bring women’s health to the forefront of promising advances 30 in the health sciences in the US