Office of Scientific Operations

National Institute Of Arthritis And Musculoskeletal And Skin Diseases

Investigators

Abstract

The NIAMS Office of Scientific Operations (OSO), formerly known as the Career Development and Outreach Branch (CDOB), was updated in 2021 due to the expansion of services provided beyond those related to training. Throughout 2025, the OSO has further strengthened our focus on scientific operations, complementing the ongoing services featuring career training, outreach, and recruitment. During FY25, the OSO was reviewed by the NIAMS BSC and received the highest rating of “outstanding.” The OSO provides strategic planning and project management for all initiatives undertaken to support the function of the NIAMS intramural research program, and investigators from the most junior to most senior career stage. The high-level scientific and logistical expertise, as well as the leadership, professional, and mentoring skills, enable this team to meet the diverse needs of the NIAMS IRP. Career Training The trainee populations served by the OSO include postbaccalaureate fellows, pre-doctoral fellows, medical students, postdoctoral fellows, research fellows, visiting fellows, clinical fellows, special volunteers, and summer interns. This office has provided robust offerings encompassing career development training, career exploration, science communication, mentoring, ethics/responsible conduct of research, professional development, grant writing, preparation for graduate and medical school, and special outreach events. The OSO continues to support development of new curricula for trainees and a competitive annual award for senior fellows to receive a one-time research supplement. Over the past year, the OSO has increased trainee participation and data collection to support program evaluation, program modeling, and trainee career tracking. The office meets annually with trainees to design individualized development plans which may include the identification of mentors, training skills assessment, and yearly professional development overview. To further supplement training, the OSO collaborates with various training offices across NIH, and the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education (OITE). This office works with other institutes to provide seminars, resources and information on programs that are beneficial to NIAMS trainees such as the Oxford Cambridge Scholars Program, NIH Graduate Partnership Program, Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP), and NIH Distinguished Scholars Program (DSP). The NIAMS clinical shadowing program has continued during the past year, whereby postbaccalaureate fellows interested in gaining clinical awareness follow rheumatology fellows and nurse practitioners for 12 weeks in the Community Health Clinic and the OSO plays an important role in facilitating this training. The OSO staff integrally supports the annual NIAMS IRP retreat as a platform for NIAMS fellows to practice their scientific communication skills. Several OSO staff are part of the planning committee and assist in multiple capacities including registration management, program booklet design and production, poster printing, and logistical support for the multi-day event, which was dramatically improved again this year. Outreach and Recruitment The OSO has been focusing on outreach and recruitment and attended several national conferences during FY25. New this year, open virtual sessions for potential applicants to hear about NIAMS training opportunities are being hosted. Specifically for NIAMS fellows, the OSO continues to expand and promote our monthly electronic communications to further strengthen trainee community and highlight the career training programming from this office and NIH partnerships. Regular, curated research updates are transmitted to relevant departments within the institute. Scientific Operations The OSO facilitates many laboratory administrative tasks including annual reports and biospecimen reports, scientific reports for congressional justification, responsible conduct of research training, and ad hoc support for Scientific and Clinical Directors on special projects. This office is the primary contact and training resource for NIAMS publications tracking system as well as compliance monitor for all published, peer-reviewed journal articles in accordance with NIH public access policy. The OSO continues to work closely with NIAMS leadership to assess space, renovations, and logistics for the laboratories and common areas. This group serves as the primary contact for large equipment maintenance and planning for all space (facilities, laboratory, office, common area) renovation projects in NIAMS, also assisting the NIAMS Safety Committee and continuing to oversee the Freezer Working Group (FWG).