Sunday, May 11, 2025
5/11/2025
CTSA K12 Program at The Scripps Research Institute - 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.
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).