Enrichment Program

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT ENRICHMENT PROGRAM Consistent with its overarching goal of fostering communication and collaboration among the large community of nutrition and obesity researchers in Boston, the Boston Area Nutrition Obesity Research Center Enrichment Program has the goals of (1) promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing among nutrition and obesity researchers; (2) providing interactions between trainees at all levels to further education about nutrition and obesity, and (3) providing mentorship and resources for early career investigators. The program provides enrichment activities that bring together accomplished researchers, clinical providers, junior faculty, and trainees from multiple disciplines to discuss cutting-edge research and foster collaboration and mentorship. In addition, the NORC gives a voice to the importance of education in nutrition and obesity for trainees at all levels within the greater Boston Community. One of the primary enrichment activities of the NORC is an Annual Symposium on an emerging theme in nutrition or obesity research, with relevant lectures, panel discussions, and networking opportunities to attendees from the Boston area and beyond. The Enrichment Program also supports trainees, junior faculty, and early career researchers. Since the last grant renewal, we have initiated a mentoring program for Pilot & Feasibility recipients, awards to promote junior faculty and mentoring, office hours for key NORC leaders to increase their accessibility to NORC members, and a NORC Associate Member Council for early-career NORC members to network, collaborate, and take advantage of NORC resources. The Enrichment Program has also continued to support multiple educational efforts by NORC members, including the Longwood Nutrition Seminars and the Blackburn Obesity Course. Further, multiple members of the NORC are faculty on NIH training grants, and NORC collaborates with these faculty to provide mentorship and support to trainees who are the younger generation of investigators in the fields of nutrition and obesity. Finally, communication with our Research Base and the larger community is a key function of the Enrichment Program, serving to increase cohesiveness and collaboration and to help researchers and providers stay current on the most recent scientific advances in the field. To accomplish this, the Enrichment Program maintains the NORC website, with information about NORC Cores, resources, and links to NORC publications. The Boston Area NORC disseminates a bi-monthly newsletter to over 900 subscribers with announcements, featured publications, early career investigator profiles, and local events related to nutrition and obesity. Through these activities, the Enrichment Program strengthens our community through education, networking, collaboration, and mentorship.