UCLA LIFT-UP (Leveraging Institutional support For Talented, Upcoming Physicians and/or Scientists)

University Of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

UCLA LIFT-UP (Leveraging Institutional support For Talented, Upcoming Physicians and/or Scientists), proposes to develop a research and mentoring program that will contribute to strengthening the scientific workforce pursuing research careers aligned with the NIDDK mission. Our leadership team has a strong record of accomplishment in supporting post-doctoral fellows and pre-tenured faculty in obtaining external research funding and progressing to research independence. The proposed multi-PIs (Drs. Duru and Mangione) co-lead a successful P30 Research Centers from the National Institute of Aging, which has recruited, engaged, and supported 61 early-career researchers. We will leverage our expertise in research, clinical practices, policy, and program evaluation in diabetes care and prevention, along with our prior center experience, to identify and/or develop talented early researchers throughout Southern California, Hawaii, and Guam. UCLA LIFT-UP builds on the scientific strengths in the UCLA CTSI, UCLA Department of Medicine, and the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. We propose three LIFT-UP Program Cores - an Administrative Core (AC), Research Mentorship Core (RMC), and Research Support Core (RSC). The RMC and the RSC will each be co-led by a basic scientist and a clinical outcomes/health services researcher, to enhance coordination of research mentorship and research support for investigators across the translational research spectrum. To accomplish these goals, the UCLA LIFT-UP overarching Specific Aims are to: 1. Provide the comprehensive guidance required to promote successful academic advancement of 14-17 early career researchers through mentorship and pilot research awards in the areas of obesity and diabetes across the translational research spectrum; 2. Engage early career researchers in cutting-edge laboratory-based science that advances the mechanistic understanding of molecular and physiologic processes related to obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and related conditions; 3. Enhance research infrastructure aimed at improving care and outcomes for individuals with obesity and/or diabetes through the design, implementation, and evaluation of collaborative interventions and policies with health system partners. The goal of LIFT-UP will be to mentor and develop highly skilled early career scientists whose passion and careers are devoted to preventing and treating obesity and diabetes, and working in disease areas aligned with the mission of the NIDDK. We will achieve this by actively identifying and recruiting the most talented candidates from Southern California, Hawaii, and Guam, and integrating them into the strongest, most comprehensive faculty development program available.