Sunday, May 11, 2025
5/11/2025
Program to Increase Diversity in Behavioral Medicine and Sleep Disorders Research - Project Summary The overarching goal of the UM Behavioral Medicine and Sleep Disorders (BSM) Institute is to continue building capacity to address a critical deficiency in the academic workforce. This will be achieved by providing congruent mentored learning experience to an additional cadre of URM faculty pursuing careers in cardiovascular risk reduction via implementation of innovative, translational behavioral models. The Institute commences with a 2-week didactic program (Summer I), followed by year-long consultation with a Mentorship Team, monthly webinars, a mid-year meeting to present work in progress and scientific findings, and ending with a 1-week program (Summer II). The initial 2-week didactic sessions focus on methodology, biostatistics, methods ensuring proper ethical conduct and reproducibility, behavioral medicine and sleep disorders topics, and intensive grant-writing workshops. The 1-week follow-up program provides mentees with opportunities for one-on-one interactions with NHLBI staff; participation in NIH Mock Study Section; and peer proposal critiques. In partnership with distinguished investigators at the University of Miami, Mount Sinai, and NHLBI staff, we will implement and evaluate the BSM curriculum throughout the 5-year period. Together with the Coordination Core (CC), we will apply our web-based evaluation protocol to assess effectiveness of the Institute and to track mentees’ progress for 5 years post completion. Outcomes include: 1) number of professional presentations and peer-reviewed publications; 2) leadership positions; 3) career awards; and 4) federal and non-federal grants. Mentees’ characteristics predicting academic success will be measured pre and post enrollment. The specific aims are: 1) to select qualified junior URM faculty with potential to contribute to current knowledge of behavioral and biomedical models used to reduce risk of CV-related diseases; 2) to increase mentees’ self-efficacy to pursue a BSM career, achieved via active coaching to realize their Individual Development Plan and acquisition of expertise in applying translational behavioral tools; 3) to work with the CC to submit and administer the Small Research Project; 4) to provide congruent mentorship to mentees, enabling their transition into independent investigators; 5) to provide mentees with intensive individualized training and guidance in grant writing using NIH review criteria; and 6) to evaluate effectiveness of the Institute ensuring milestones are achieved in a timely manner. The Co- Directors will work directly with the CC to execute BSM’s programmatic activities, implement program evaluation plan, monitor mentees’ progress during enrollment, and tracking mentees’ academic achievements. Successful completion of this renewed Institute will establish a network of 48 well-trained URM faculty, applying novel, evidence-based methods to improve health equity in minoritized communities.
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).