Investigator Development Core

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Modified Abstract Section ABSTRACT The Mid-Atlantic Center for Cardiometabolic Health (MACCH) will establish an Investigator Development (ID) Core with two objectives: (1) to promote career development for Early-Stage Investigators establishing research careers focused on chronic diseases; and (2) enhancing the workforce in this area of biomedical research. MACCH includes a partnership between The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB). To accomplish its objectives, the Investigator Development Core has established three specific aims: Aim #1. To establish a pilot project program for postdoctoral fellows, early career faculty and other Early-Stage Investigators to support innovative research related to chronic disease. The pilot award program will solicit applications from early-stage investigators at JHU, UMB, Morgan State University, community partners, and the surrounding Mid-Atlantic region who have an interest in addressing chronic, cardiometabolic diseases. After research applications undergo peer review, applications will be selected for funding based on scientific merit as assessed by peer review in combination with strategic considerations as determined by MACCH's Steering Committee. Aim #2. To create a multidisciplinary mentoring network and community for pilot project awardees (“MACCH scholars”) inclusive of senior faculty with health research expertise. With oversight by MACCH's ID Core, Early-Stage Investigators receiving MACCH pilot awards will establish mentoring committees including a primary mentor and two co-mentors to provide overall career mentoring in scholar's background discipline. When possible, we will match scholars with a `national' mentor from another one of the P50 programs. In addition, one of our Core program faculty advisors will oversee the scholar's progress in the program. Aim #3. To support Early-Stage Investigators with structured didactic training to promote ethical, scientifically rigorous, and reproducible research to address chronic disease. Pilot grant awardees will be required to participate in didactic training on “Responsible Conduct of Research” and “Scientific Rigor and Reproducibility” offered at one of the parent institutions. In addition, they will be encouraged to participate in other career development opportunities, including courses on Grant Writing, Scholar Skills and Community- Building, and Writing Accountability Groups. By providing pilot research funding in combination with enhanced mentoring, MACCH's Pilot Award Program will promote innovative multi-disciplinary chronic disease research in the region and also enhance the biomedical research workforce