Project Summary/Abstract
Scripps Research Translational Institute’s (SRTI’s) K12 Program aims to deliver and develop comprehensive translational
science competencies and successful translational scientist characteristics that launch graduates into investigational
careers within academic institutions, research institutes, biotechnology companies, community and public health
programs, and priority-setting government agencies. Within Scripps Research, the largest private, non-profit biomedical
research organization in the United States, and together with partners Scripps Health, Rady Children’s Institute of Genomic
Medicine, and San Diego State University (SDSU), we will provide a unique and inspirational setting for early-career
biomedical researchers applying our translational science methodology strengths in the design and conduct of cutting-
edge translational research. Six K12 scholars, ranging in level from clinical fellows to junior faculty within 5 years of training
completion, will be supported for 2-4 years of mentored career development tailored for each to discover an
investigational niche and generate preliminary findings toward individual grant submission and research independence.
We will emphasize research activities mentored by a cross-disciplinary advisor team, assisted by academic cores and trial
support providing grant management, feasibility assessments, regulatory support, community engagement consultation,
study navigation, remote enrollment platforms for site-less trials, clinical trial coordination, electronic health records data
extraction and study integration, biorepository collection and storage, extensive wet lab services, and data analytics.
Translational science coursework, created and directed by SRTI research team leaders, will incorporate ethical and
reproducible research practices, clinical study design, effective communication, grantsmanship, social contexts of clinical
and translational research, advanced analytics, and precision health methodologies. Mentored experiential training will
include professional development seminars, transdisciplinary teamwork, community advisory board presentations,
student mentorship, guest course instruction, and SRTI representation in inter-institutional collaborations and academic
forums. Objectives for the proposed K12 Program are: 1) the addition of 2 translational science training domains – data
science and population health – to our strengths of genomics, digital health, and community engagement, capitalizing on
expanded faculty expertise, newly designed coursework, and educational alliances with Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute
at University of California San Diego and SDSU’s School of Public Health; 2) advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
in curricula, research, and experiential training, coordinated through a nominated K12 Scholar DEI Liaison and SRTI’s DEI
Director; and 3) increasing support for scholar transition to independence through added mentorship structure and
mentor training, new professional development activities, and a Scripps Physician Scientist Fellows Program as a bridge
for early career faculty. Intended K12 program outcomes include 100% retention and graduation of appointed scholars,
90% of graduates remaining in research careers, increased scholar recruit diversity to 50% women and 20% from groups
underrepresented in science, and transition of a K12 graduate to a newly developed Physician Scientist Fellows track.