CTSA Predoctoral T32 at University of Colorado Denver - Project Summary/Abstract The Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute’s (CCTSI) T32 Pre-Doctoral Training Program aligns and supports the goals of NCATS to ensure that a diverse pool of highly trained scientists is available in adequate numbers and in appropriate research areas to carry out the nation’s clinical and translational science research (CTSR) agenda. Our proposed Team Oriented Training across the Translational Sciences Spectrum (TOTTS) program will support trainees’ competency development and foster characteristic development for translational research scientists. We request 8 slots for diverse trainees that represent the translational spectrum (biomedical/bioengineering PhD students, population health/health outcomes PhD students, clinician doctoral students) to complete our 2-year program, with clinician doctoral students having a 1-year option. Our overall goal is to meet the needs of the translational science and research community by preparing diverse interdisciplinary doctoral trainees that are team oriented and have developed characteristics and associated skills necessary for successful CTSR careers, including Domain Expert, Rigorous Researcher, Boundary Crosser, Process Innovator, Team Player, Skilled Communicator, and Systems Thinker. Our program’s value is that Diversity Accelerates Research and Translation (DART). Integration into the clinical and translational fabric strengthens a person’s connection, self-efficacy, and identity formation, thus increasing the likelihood that T32 trainees remain in the translational workforce. Our program’s curriculum and approaches are based on our colleague’s conceptual framework for diversifying the CTSR workforce, Model for Persistence of a Diverse Clinical and Translational Research Workforce. A program objective is to apply evidence informed mentoring practices to support developing trainees from all backgrounds for career persistence and success in CTSR. Evidence informed practices to be applied include 1) signed mentoring agreements, 2) development and regular review of Individualized Career Development Plans, 3) completion of Mentoring3: Mentor, Mentee and Peer, an effective mentoring training program attended by both mentors and mentees, 4) annual mentor-mentee dyad reviews with feedback, and 5) trainee Mentoring Advisory Team reviews. Several programmatic elements are novel to promote skills development and successful transitions into careers as translational scientists: translational mentor supported immersion experiences (clinical, industry, community, lab), Leading and Teaming, Writing Accountability Groups, F-Grant Review and Mock Study Section, Communicating Research to the Public, and Café Scientifiques. Evaluative emphasis will be placed on our ability to achieve our goal of attracting and supporting the training and persistence of individuals from diverse (especially underrepresented) backgrounds who have the potential to infuse CTSR with new perspectives and approaches that are efficient and effective.
