Project Abstract
Biomedical research scientists face unique career challenges that, if unaddressed, hinder the
success, well-being, and ultimately retention of this specialized workforce. Curricular support to
meet these threats to well-being first requires a comprehensive understanding of the diverse
experiences of biomedical research scientists, across specialties and career stages. After
conducting interviews with biomedical research program directors, and focus groups with
biomedical faculty and research trainees across our institution, we will develop a set of modules
to address well-being needs along four tracks: a Foundational track that provides content on the
Six Areas of Worklife and how they bear on well-being; a Resilience track that provides
evidence-based tools for formulating a personal plan for well-being and navigating the rejection
that is inherent to a successful biomedical research career; a Relational Support track that
identifies strategies for developing healthy mentorship and sponsorship relationships and
techniques for collaborative research success, and a Programmatic Infrastructure track that
includes support for navigating differences, identity formation, and building capacity for
adaptability. A series of facilitator guides will accompany the modules to allow for consistency in
interactive content. Each module will be evaluated for its educational value through mixed-
methods investigation, and in consultation with an advisory board composed of graduate
education experts, directors of educational assessment, leadership from the UCSF Office of
Career and Professional Development, diversity and learner success, student and faculty
academic affairs, faculty equity, and a Chief Wellness Officer. A randomized controlled study
design will allow for assessment of the impact of training materials on validated well-being,
resilience, career self-efficacy and adaptability measures. The training materials will be made
freely available and will provide a sustainable set of tools for building well-being, resilience, and
adaptability in our biomedical research scientist workforce.