mentors and mentees: resources for investigators at musc

Mentors and Mentees: Resources for Investigators at MUSC

Marc I. Chimowitz, MB,ChB

Professor of Neurology

Associate Dean of Faculty Development

MUSC

MUSC Clinical Research

$-

$5,000,000

$10,000,000

$15,000,000

$20,000,000

$25,000,000

$30,000,000

$35,000,000

2006 2007 2008

Corporate

Federal

Other Support

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

2006 2007 2008

YEAR

K23

Aw

ard

s

Pipeline to Funded Independent Clinical Researchers: Number of “K23” Awards

00.5

11.5

22.5

33.5

44.5

5

2006 2007 2008

YEAR

K24

Aw

ard

s

Funded Mentors: Number of “K24” Awards

Clinical Research is Hard!Some Challenges of Clinical Research:

Schizophrenic Responsibilities Can’t Do It as A Hobby – Need Protected Time Designing Innovative and Relevant Clinical

Research Projects is Hard Funding Challenging Can’t Purchase Subjects

i.e., Mentors and Mentees Need Help!

Resources for Expanding Clinical Research at MUSC

GCRC >>>> CTSA – South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute (SCTR)

MSCR Program

SCTR K12 Scholars Program in Clinical and Translational Science

SCTR Pilot Project Program

Office of Research Development Office (ORD)

SUCCESS Center

MUSC’s Department of Biometry and Epidemiology

A Multi-disciplinary Program Designed to:

Teach core competency in clinical research methods

Foster development of a sustainable research focus

Provide participant with the skills to compete for extramural support

Master of Science in Clinical Research Program (MSCR)

MSCR Program Specifics:

2 years - Part time Classes

Courses examples include ethics, epidemiology, biostatistics, design and conduct of clinical trials

Required item: development of a grant proposal with the goal of being ready for submission by the end of the MSCR program

SCTR K12 Scholars Program in Clinical and Translational Science

Launched in 2007 with Institutional Funds

Up to 3 years Salary Support @ 75% effort (max. $100,000 per year) to Promising Junior Faculty

Annual Supply Budget $10,000, and up to 5% Salary Support for Mentor

Program Faculty Support for Research Design, Statistics, Publishing, and Grant Writing

SCTR K12 Scholars Program in Clinical and Translational Science

Requires Applicant to Obtain Training in Clinical and Translational Research

2007: 12 Applicants - 2 Chosen

2008: Announcement NovemberApplication deadline February 2009Review March / April and Funding July 20091-2 Will be Funded, Up to 4 in Future if CTSA Funded

SCTR Pilot Project Program

Launched 2006 with Institutional Funds

Funds Promising Pilot Studies, Supporting Grant Applications for Larger, Externally Funded Studies

RFA March 2008: 89 Applications, 17 Funded, Total Awarded $880,000

CTSA Requests Additional Support

Office of Research Development (ORD)

The 3 F’s of ORD:

Funding: Identify Extramural Funding Opportunities

Forms: Sponsor, Institutional, Boilerplate Text, Biosketches, Metrics

Free Advice: Assistance with Protocol Development, Grantsmanship Workshops

Director Peggy Schachte BA, MBA Office:792-5828, email research@musc.edu

Research Navigation Support:

Collaborator & Mentor Matching, Links Investigators to Institutional Cores, Programs

Consultation for Regulatory Submissions

Consultation for Study Subject Recruitment

Lists Studies on Clinical Trials Registry

Grant Budget Development

Leadership Committed to Growing Clinical Research

Created Position of Associate Dean of Faculty Development

Charge: Help Faculty (particularly Junior Faculty) Develop Clinical Investigative Careers

My Strategy For Clinical Research Development

Main Focus Points:

1. Develop an Academic Society of Junior Clinical Investigators Across CampusSociety of Clinical Research and Translational Early Scientists (SOCRATES)

2. Develop Mentor Leadership Committee Representing all Colleges

3. Increase the Number of MUSC Designed Multi-center Clinical Trials and Large Epidemiologic Studies

4. Provide Resource to Clinical Departments for Developing Strong Junior Faculty Mentoring Programs

Members of SOCRATES

□ Graduates of MSCR Program on Faculty at MUSC

□ Current MSCR Students on Faculty

□ Current and Previous K-awardees at MUSC

□ Current and Previous VA Career Awardees

□ Anyone else who would like to participate!

1. SOCRATES GOALS

Increase Number of K23 Awards and First R01s

Train Next Generation of MUSC Mentors

1. SOCRATES ACTIVITIES

Monthly (Wed 5pm) Meetings For Junior Faculty to Present Research Projects

in Front of Peers, Senior Researchers, Statisticians and Epidemiologists

To Meet Researchers in Other Departments & Foster Collaboration Across Multiple Subspecialties at MUSC

To Discuss Ways to Enhance Clinical and Translational Research Across the Campus

To Provide Information on Research Opportunities (e.g., grant announcements)

Ad Hoc Meetings e.g., meet with Editor of JAMA

2. Mentor Leadership Committee

Mentors Nominated to Committee by Deans of all Colleges.

Responsibilities: Formulate institutional policies on mentoring across

campus Monitor success of mentoring programs, recommend

appropriate changes “Think tank” for novel mentoring programs across

campus, e.g. special K events

3. Increase the Number of MUSC Initiated Multi-Center Clinical Studies

Work with Mid-level and Senior Investigators who Wish to Design and Lead Externally Funded Multicenter Clinical Trials and Large Epidemiology Studies

Accomplished by Providing Opportunity to Consult with Experienced MUSC NIH-funded Clinical Scientists, Statisticians, and Epidemiologists

Will Provide Design, Statistical, and Data Management Input Necessary for Successful Grant Applications

MUSC led Multi-center Grants have High Pay-off – Indirects alone in the Millions

4. Help Clinical Departments Develop Strong Mentoring Programs

Currently Several Good Examples Across Campus: Medicine, Psychiatry, Neurosciences

Common Features of Successful Mentoring Programs: Provide Departmental Forum for Presenting

Research IdeasHelp Find Committed Senior MentorsCreate a Committee to Review Grants Before

Submitted

Responsibility and Accountability to achieve results …

Junior Investigators - Take advantage of What MUSC is Providing

Senior Investigators – Participate in Mentoring Process (e.g., Mentor Leadership Committee, attend SOCRATES!)

Dr. Chimowitz – Track Utility of SOCRATES and K12 programs, Modify as Needed

Chairs – Support and Push Talented Investigators, Improve Departmental Mentoring Programs, Promote Research

Leadership – Continue to Promote Culture of Research Excellence

Contact Information:

Marc Chimowitz, MBChB mchimow@musc.edu Phone: 843 792-3020 (Denae Burke,

assistant)

843 792-2126 (direct) Office: MUSC Stroke Center, 5th floor

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