Career Enhancement Program

Baylor College Of Medicine, Houston TX

Investigators

Abstract

Project Summary – REDIAL Career Enhancement Program (CEP) Translational research related to population disparities in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is lacking, with a shortage of investigators investing their career in this area. The Career Enhancement Program (CEP) is designed to provide incentives, training and guidance to attract academic physician-scientists, clinicianinvestigators, and laboratory-based scientists to dedicate their efforts to this area of research. A key goal of the CEP is to support early faculty in order to nurture a robust future translational research environment. Another goal is to support established investigators who may wish to refocus their careers on research in this area. To meet these goals, the specific aims of the CEP are to recruit, train, and guide a new group of physicians and scientists to become successful translational investigators focusing on population-based disparities in outcomes in pediatric ALL; to educate awardees in the basic principles of ALL biology, epidemiology, therapy and toxicities, clinical outcomes, and the multifactorial bases for population-based disparities in outcomes; and to develop and collect metrics to assess the success of the CEP, allowing the program to be reviewed and modified as necessary. To achieve these aims, we have developed specific criteria for selection and funding through a peer- reviewed mechanism, and we will collaborate with the Baylor College of Medicine Office of Community Outreach and Engagement in the selection of candidates for the CEP program. We will ensure that program awardees are integrated into the SPORE so their progress can be monitored and opportunities for obtaining external funding enhanced. The SPORE will also take advantage of best practices and evaluation tools identified in other centers and entities at BCM that have pilot project funding. Strong mentorship is an important component of the CEP, through which awardees will be instructed in the principles of clinical, basic, and translational research relating to ALL outcome disparities. Population-based mentors will provide role models to CEP awardees. Specific areas of education include scientific and clinical methods, biomedical ethics, statistical design and analysis, genetics and genomics, pharmacology, epidemiology, and other areas relevant to individual projects. Mentorship will include laboratory-based investigators, clinical investigators, biostatisticians and epidemiologists. Mentors from within the U54 SPORE as well as other faculty members at BCM and the other SPORE sites will provide the expertise required to develop strong, productive translational research skills.