Saturday, December 21, 2024
12/21/2024
SUMMARY Innovative and transformational training schemes that motivate the next generation of scientists are needed to increase the numbers of highly trained PhD investigators and MD physician-researchers in kidney, urology, or non-malignant hematology (KUH) research. UAB KURE was established in 2018 with recruitment of our first cohort in 2019 to address this need. The University of Alabama at Birmingham KUH Undergraduate Research Experience (UAB KURE) R25 program builds confidence and understanding in hands-on research skills and knowledge of physiological systems in a thriving KUH research environment at UAB. The UAB KURE R25 program has developed professional and career development sessions focused on building confident leaders in biomedical KUH research. UAB KURE scholars engage in an immersive short-term research training program with basic to translational hands-on mentored projects, didactic workshops, and clinical experiences with expert PhD and MD role models in KUH research themes to demystify the complexities of inter-disciplinary KUH physiology and pathophysiology. The UAB KURE program also exposes undergraduate scholars to communication and leadership skills through professional development sessions in building confidence to be leaders in biomedical research. The UAB KURE program utilizes an integrated faculty and near peer team mentoring approach. It is imperative that faculty mentors engage with the scholars to provide inspiration and guidance. Moreover, it is well-established that exposure to near peer (graduate students, postdoctoral fellows) mentorship during influential times in the undergraduate scholar training is key in later career decisions of the scholars. To optimize near peer mentoring, we initiated a pilot KURE Near Peer Mentoring Academy in 2022. The Mentoring Academy promoted confidence in near peer mentoring for KURE 2023 as well as in the near peers' own career development. Furthermore, surveys and focus groups of faculty and near peer mentors provided key insights to establish best practices for ongoing mentoring of KURE scholar alumni to enhance opportunities in KUH-focused careers. The mission of the UAB KURE program renewal is to inspire, motivate, and develop future KUH researchers from diverse backgrounds and experience through an immersive short- term KUH research and professional development activities. Two specific aims guide the UAB KURE program renewal. Aim 1 will identify, recruit, and engage a diverse (by race/ethnicity, rural/urban hometowns, scientific experience, undergraduate institution) cohort of undergraduate students focusing on an immersive summer research program in the development of inter-disciplinary strategies, critical thinking skills, scientific rigor, and clinical knowledge in KUH themes at UAB. Aim 2 will develop and nurture an integrated faculty and near peer mentoring strategy to enrich KURE scholars in communication and leadership skills as well as provide ongoing mentoring to KURE alumni to enhance future KUH career opportunities.
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).