Training Core: Houston Area Incubator for Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Research Training (HAIKUH) - Enter the text here that is the new abstract information for your application The Houston Area Incubator for Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Research Training (HAI-KUH) aims to develop a highly qualified workforce to improve the health and quality of life of patients with nonmalignant Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic (KUH) disease. HAI-KUH is based in Houston, one of the country's most populous metropolitan areas and home to the Texas Medical Center (TMC), the largest medical center in the world. Our network includes 58 training preceptors from 7 different institutions based in 8 sites (Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston Methodist Research Institute, Rice University, Texas A&M University, and University of Houston). The preceptors have expertise in the KUH mission areas (20, 14, and 24 preceptors, respectively) and a variety of scientific backgrounds, including academic-private sector partnerships. Preceptor research interests include sickle cell disease, stem cell biology, chronic kidney disease, human genetics and development of the urogenital tract, neuromodulation of bladder function, urinary tract infections, and health economics and policy of kidney and urologic diseases. The program will not only expand existing training efforts but also support a variety of career paths, promote interdisciplinary research, and enhance training excellence in KUH mission areas. Our program emphasizes innovation, a foundation of leading biomedical science. We focus particular efforts on highly qualified graduate students and postdocs who will help us realize our long-term goals of attracting, launching, and retaining a pipeline of interdisciplinary KUH researchers to ultimately benefit those afflicted by KUH diseases. This TL1 component will oversee the appointment and mentoring of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and clinical fellows to the program. Trainees will be drawn from a typical pool of 100 eligible trainees or recruited nationally, with the program ultimately supporting 6 pre-docs and 6 postdoctoral or clinical fellows. With the Professional Development Core (PDC), the TL1 will assess trainees’ individual needs and interests and facilitate customized training pathways, including exposure to and training in skills that will prepare them for academic, entrepreneurial, policy, or other careers. The TL1 will ensure that trainees receive high-quality mentored research experiences by selecting, training, and evaluating mentors. Trainees will participate in small interdisciplinary groups that will enable peer-to-peer and near-peer mentoring to promote their scientific and career development and will have a variety of enrichment opportunities facilitated by the PDC and Networking Core. Finally, HAI-KUH enjoys exceptional support from multiple institutions in the Texas Medical Center, ensuring the program's success and advancement of health treatment options for patients with KUH diseases.
