Mentoring the next generation of researchers in pediatric autoimmunity - Abstract Dr. Shaun Jackson, an established researcher and leader in the field of pediatric autoimmunity, seeks a K24 Mid-Career Investigator Award to expand his mentorship of junior scientists engaged in patient-oriented research (POR) at the interface between pediatric rheumatology and autoimmune kidney disease. Dr. Jackson’s long- term career goal is to build a translational research program dedicated towards uncovering disease mechanisms in pediatric autoimmunity and developing novel treatments for affected children. In addition, he aims to cultivate the next generation of basic researchers and physician-scientists dedicated to POR in pediatric inflammatory diseases. During the period of K24 support, Dr. Jackson’s mentees will enter a structured training program that incorporates individualized development plans (IDP), didactic coursework in the principles of POR, cutting-edge research experiences, mentorship in writing manuscripts and grant applications, and professional networking necessary to build a successful POR career. To support these mentorship goals, Dr. Jackson has developed a K24 Career Development Plan for himself that focuses on: 1) training in the regulatory aspects of POR in support of an expanded autoimmune kidney disease research program; 2) designing clinical trials of novel cell therapies for pediatric autoimmunity; and 3) developing leadership skills in POR. Dr. Jackson’s current and future mentees will have the opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of funded and proposed research studies. These include mechanistic interrogation of humoral autoimmunity in patients with STAT1 gain-of-function syndrome (Project 1), using cutting-edge spatial transcriptomics to study kidney inflammation human lupus nephritis (Project 2), correlative studies in patients receiving B cell-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells (Project 3), and a new project centered on a rare and largely unstudied pediatric autoimmune kidney disease, Tubulointerstitial Nephritis and Uveitis (TINU) syndrome. This research experience and structured mentorship program will be executed within the dynamic and collaborative environment of the Seattle Children’s Research Institute (SCRI), the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM), and the greater Seattle biomedical community, where state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant research community provide an ideal setting for POR training.
