Abstract:
Dr. Arredondo is a professor of psychology at San Diego State University with an excellent track record of
conducting NIH-funded patient-oriented research. The K24 will provide Dr. Arredondo with protected time to
mentor trainees from under-represented groups who are at different stages of research independence and to
accelerate the translation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) into real-world practice. Through the K24, Dr.
Arredondo and her team will engage in relevant trainings to enhance their knowledge and skills in sustaining
behavioral interventions in community settings. The primary objectives of the K24 grant align with Dr.
Arredondo's short-term career objectives, which include: 1) Enhancing her mentorship of trainees at various
academic levels who seek to study innovative implementation and sustainment methods to improve
cardiovascular health equity; 2) Expanding her knowledge and mentorship capacities regarding development
of sustainable patient-oriented prevention programs using mixed-methods approaches, and 3) Engaging in
career development activities aimed at accelerating the translation of NIH-funded community-based
interventions into market-ready products. The proposed training plan and research will leverage an NHLBI R01
research grant that examines the impact of organizational-level strategies on implementation outcomes. The
goal of the proposed K24 research is to strengthen the sustainability plan for the EBI. Dr. Arredondo and her
team will employ a mixed methods approach to assess the effects of three novel sustainability strategies on
sustainability outcomes, as well as their associated mechanisms of action. Furthermore, the K24 research will
help identify market opportunities and enhance user engagement to promote scale up of the EBI, extending its
reach, effectiveness, and sustainability. Data collected through the K24 will be utilized to prepare a subsequent
R01 application for a fully powered trial. Accomplishing the aims of the K24 grant will accelerate access to
EBIs in underserved communities while simultaneously expanding mentorship opportunities for trainees from
groups that are underrepresented in biomedical research. K24 funding will enable Dr. Arredondo to
meaningfully advance her mentorship and research goals, enriching the training provided to under-represented
scholars on the conduct of rigorous patient-oriented research that reduces health disparities.