Saturday, September 7, 2024
9/7/2024
PROJECT SUMMARY IRACDA at the University of Kansas: The goals of the KU-IRACDA program are to give postdoctoral scholars comprehensive, mentored training in research at KU, together with effective pedagogical preparation and meaningful instructional experiences at one of our partner teaching institutions, Haskell Indian Nations University and Kansas City Kansas Community College (KCKCC). Our ultimate goal is to place well-trained postdoctoral scholars in fulfilling academic jobs, whether centered primarily on research or on teaching. KU has dozens of faculty active in research areas relevant to the NIGMS mission. These individuals are dedicated to training the next generation of academic scientists, and have the research infrastructure, the financial support, and the time to mentor KU-IRACDA scholars to success. Our program will recruit 4 scholars in our first year, and progressively build to a steady-state cohort of 10 scholars. Notably, one of these positions will be supported through the life of the proposed award by the KU Cancer Center. KU has a number of ongoing training grants focused on enhancing diversity within the biomedical research enterprise. Our KU-IRACDA recruitment strategy will leverage these established programs, and target populations that are traditionally underrepresented in the biomedical sciences. Our application process will select successful early-career researchers who have a strong intellectual connection with a KU mentor, a demonstrated commitment to increasing STEM diversity, a desire to learn inclusive instructional methods, and the goal of obtaining a faculty position. During their 3 years in the KU-IRACDA program, scholars will advance their careers via three interrelated sets of activities. First, scholars will receive mentoring from an accomplished KU faculty member and a small mentoring committee, and push forward cutting-edge biomedical research, resulting in the presentations and publications required to transition to a faculty position in academia. Second, under the guidance of the program MPIs and an internal Advisory Committee, scholars will work with groups on the KU campus (e.g., the Center for Teaching Excellence and the Office for Diversity in Science Training), as well as their mentors at our partner teaching-focused institutions, to gain experience with modern pedagogical tools, and build skills in culturally-sensitive teaching methods. Subsequently, scholars will get direct experience working with students in the classroom, teaching courses at either Haskell or KCKCC, both of which serve communities that are underrepresented in STEM. Especially for scholars focused on a teaching-intensive academic position, such experiences will be invaluable preparation for their future careers. Third, via one-to-one mentor-scholar coaching, and through established courses, programs, and workshops, scholars will have access to a series of professional development opportunities. By deploying Individual Development Plans, and ensuring mentors are involved in their generation and ongoing refinement, we will help promote the career goals of our scholars via a tailored system of training activities.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
