UC San Diego Raising Advancement and Parity for Infectious Disease Researchers (RAPID) Faculty Development Program

University Of California, San Diego, La Jolla CA

Investigators

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Abstract

Abstract Improving the demographics of the biomedical workforce is critical for enhancing educational experiences, fostering scientific discovery and innovation, increasing the benefit of research on health disparity populations and public trust. While academic institutions have an important role in this mission, the representation of faculty from underrepresented backgrounds is low and has remained stagnant. The overall goal of the UC San Diego (UCSD) Raising Advancement and Parity for Infectious Disease Researchers (RAPID) Faculty Development Program is to improve the demographics of the biomedical research workforce in infectious diseases. The UCSD RAPID Program will provide effective mentorship, activities to develop critical academic skills and research training experiences to participants to enhance their development of successful research programs focused on infectious diseases and success in obtaining independent extramural funding. RAPID will recruit underrepresented early career faculty and transitioning postdoctoral scholars from a national pool to participate in professional skill and research development activities in a summer institute program. The RAPID program is directed by two principal investigators (PIs) and four co-investigators (co-Is) with extensive experience in mentoring and training postdoctoral scholar, residents and junior faculty and success in creating and implementing faculty development and mentoring programs specifically for underrepresented trainees. The PIs / co-Is have successfully led extramurally funded training programs; and are actively engaged in NIH-sponsored infectious diseases research; five of the PIs are from backgrounds underrepresented in the biomedical research workforce. The specific objectives of the UCSD RAPID Program are to enhance the demographics of the biomedical workforce by providing participants with critical academic skills to enhance their success in developing multidisciplinary research programs focused on infectious diseases. We propose three specific aims. Aim 1. To improve the demographics of the biomedical workforce by continuing to recruit underrepresented early career faculty and transitioning postdoctoral fellows from local and national pools who have infectious diseases scientific expertise aligned with those of our research mentors. Aim 2. To continue to enhance professional skill development and effective mentorship of early career infectious disease researchers by utilizing evidence-based strategies including a faculty research and career advancement plan, effective mentorship and by improving knowledge and skills in various professional development areas important for academic and research success. Aim 3. To continue to improve research training and research self-efficacy of mentees through immersion in effective strategies to enhance the development of robust research programs, acquire sustainable grant writing skills and success in obtaining extramural funding. The aims proposed in the UCSD RAPID Program renewal will continue to enhance participants academic and research success, and in obtaining independent NIH or equivalent funding to support multidisciplinary infectious disease research.