Vanderbilt Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (V-StARR) - The goal of this application is to continue the highly successful Vanderbilt - Stimulating Access to Research in Residency; V-StARR) mentored training program for residents in Medicine or Pediatrics who possess both the aptitude and passion for becoming a new generation of clinician-scientists. We will continue to focus on “late bloomers”; typically, those residents who decide to pursue a career as a clinician-scientist after acceptance to a standard clinical residency pathway. The primary goal is to provide a nurturing mentored environment for Resident Investigators to perform highly rigorous research training to facilitate a successful transition to a research-focused fellowship and subsequent appointment as tenure track faculty. The overarching goal is to expand the pipeline of those achieving independence as clinician-scientists. Another core goal is to promote diversity and inclusion in research training in a highly intentional way. Each Resident Investigator will develop and complete a mentored research project in an area of focus consistent with the missions of NHLBI and will also participate in selected workshops and courses and in our clinician-scientist development communities. Investigation may be basic, translational, clinical, or population health. All of our R38 graduates have gone on to pursue research-based careers and based on their success, and our deep applicant pool, we are expanding our program to six training slots to support Resident Investigators for 1-2 years with a minimum of 80% protected research time. Four of these slots will be funded by the R38 award and one slot each by the Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics. There is a formal program selection process to identify the most competitive applicants. Our proven success in recruitment to the program demonstrates our ability to attract a strong group of applicants. The program will provide intense scientific mentorship and personalized career development. The Resident Investigators will have access to a cadre of more than fifty carefully selected NIH-funded preceptors who have successful track records of mentoring early career scholars. Each Resident Investigator will have a personalized Scholarly Oversight Committee to assist them in achieving program goals, to evaluate resident progress, and to develop, advise on, and track their career development plan. Evaluation of Resident Investigators includes competency-based milestone assessments. There will be equally rigorous program assessments. Key outcomes for the program include: Academic productivity (presentations, peer-review publications, grants); recruitment of scholars from diverse backgrounds; entry of residents into research intensive fellowships; and success in obtaining T32 positions and K38 grants. Long-term follow-up of all Resident Investigators will be performed using Flight Tracker and through personal contact. The Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics are fully integrated into the Vanderbilt School of Medicine and Medical Center, and both rank in the top 10 in NIH funding. There exists a very strong relationship between the Departments and between the PIs. We have incorporated several important changes into this successful program and believe that these will further strengthen the V-StARR.
