Friday, May 16, 2025
5/16/2025
TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCHERS - ABSTRACT This is a competitive renewal of a training program to address the shortage of psychiatrist scientists pursuing careers in basic and clinical research who are positioned to translate dramatic advances in neuroscience and genetics into clinically-relevant research on pathophysiology and new treatments for psychiatric disorders. An increasing number of scientifically accomplished residents have abandoned their scientific career goals feeling daunted by the increasing funding and regulatory challenges associated with research. Accordingly, the UCSF Research Resident Training Program (RRTP) is pivoting from its historical pursuit of recruiting residents into research for the first time. Instead, through proactive mentorship and targeted research support, our revised RRTP will focus resources on fostering the development of a smaller number of accomplished and diverse residents specifically recruited because of their strong potential and motivation to pursue scientific careers. The RRTP begins its research training activities during PGY-1; a research project is developed in the PGY-1 or -2 and conducted in PGY-3-4 and, if indicated, into PGY-5-7. In addition to stipend support, the program provides funding to support resident research projects, professional travel, and formal course work in methodology, statistics and research ethics. Each trainee is assigned a career mentor who assists them in creating an individualized learning and development plan, identifying a research mentor, and providing support and advice about ongoing issues related to career development. In conjunction with formal coursework and hands-on research experience, networking and career development opportunities are emphasized, as is the successful integration of clinical and research training. The career development of women and under-represented minority trainees is specifically emphasized. Research residents participate in ongoing research-related journal clubs, a works-in-progress dinner series, as well as an interinstitutional Research Retreat that we will rotate between northern and southern California sites. In addition to our shift toward direct recruitment of promising and diverse residents directly into 3 research track slots per year, we will introduce other innovations including: 1) new diversity initiatives, 2) increased protected time and flexibility in clinical rotations to build research momentum, 3) developing readiness for a faster transition to independence, 4) developing an entrustable professional activities feedback tool, 5) broadening dissemination of resources and networking to residents training outside our department, 6) using continuous process improvement in areas such as recruitment and retreat programming, 7) further innovations in “near-peer” learning, 8) increased grant writing guidance, and 9) teaching around team science and leadership. Our program’s success in launching independent scientific careers will be assessed through subjective and objective instruments constructed to assay changes in attitudes, knowledge, and skills in the course of their research training; entry into research fellowships and career positions; and subsequent record of research productivity: publications, citations, grants and awards.
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).