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| Congratulations to our 2025 School of Medicine Faculty Mentoring Awardees |
| The School of Medicine Office of Academic Affairs is delighted to announce the winners and honorable mentions for the annual faculty mentorship awards, which recognize excellence and innovation in mentoring at UC Irvine School of Medicine — specifically in the domain of faculty mentoring other faculty.
Basic Science Faculty Mentor of the Year
Winner: Bert Semler, PhD, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics
Honorable Mention: Yi Xi (Michael) Wu, PhD, Department of Urology
Clinical Faculty Mentor of the Year
Winner: Arash Rezazadeh Kalebasty, MD, Department of Medicine
Honorable Mentions: Jaime Landman, MD, Department of Urology
Innovation in Mentoring Award
Winner: Gelareh Sadigh, MD, Department of Radiological Sciences
Honorable Mention: Akhil Das, MD, Department of Urology
Universal Faculty Mentoring Award
Winner: Lisa Flanagan, PhD, Department of Neurology
Honorable Mention: Elena Rhoads, MD, PhD, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Learn more about the School of Medicine Faculty Mentoring Awards.
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| Learn about the UCI Biospecimen Repository – Recording & Slide Deck Available |
| | The UC Irvine School of Medicine Office of Research recently held a webinar about the new UCI Biospecimen Repository. The recording and slide deck can be found on the School of Medicine Office of Research Webinars page. UCINetID log-in is required. | |
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| Sign up for the Office of Research Listserv |
| | To keep up with the latest updates from the Office of Research amid all the federal funding changes, be sure to subscribe to the CG-News listserv. Sign up by sending a blank email to cg-news+subscribe@uci.edu. | |
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| From the Office of Research: NIH Applications Involving a Foreign Component |
| The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has recently tightened its requirements for foreign justification in grant applications. All NIH applications that include a Foreign Component must include a mandated Foreign Justification document. Applications with a Foreign Component that do not include this document will be considered incomplete and will be withdrawn by NIH without further review. Learn more about what constitutes a Foreign Component (PDF). For detailed information on what is required in the Foreign Justification document, please refer to page 63 of the NIH application guide (PDF).
If you are working on an NIH application with Foreign Components, please ensure that you upload the necessary Foreign Justification document to the "Other Attachments" section of your application.
For further assistance or questions, please contact the Federal Officer in Sponsored Projects assigned to your unit. | |
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| 2025 Core Facilities Survey |
| UC Irvine School of Medicine and the UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center are partnering on a survey regarding core research facilities in the School of Medicine. Your answers are helpful and important; all responses will be factored in to optimize our research support structure. After answering a few basic questions, you will only be asked questions about the facilities and services you used and the researchers under your supervision. This survey is anonymous. For questions, contact Claire Brainard Draper. Please complete the survey by May 21, 2025.
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| Physician Scientist Collective Network Hosts Dean’s K Scholars |
| The Physician Scientist Collective Network supports physician scientists by offering networking, mentorship and career development resources to advance their professional journeys.
Dean’s K Scholars Research Showcase: Our School of Medicine Dean’s K Scholars will showcase their research progress, describe their NIH K application strategies, and share insights into their journey as physician-scientists. As always, attendee questions are encouraged to strengthen the collaborative and supportive nature of the Physician Scientist Collective.
- Coffee & Refreshments – 3:30 to 4 p.m.
- Presentation – 4 to 5 p.m.
School of Medicine Research Development staff will be present to address any research-related questions.
Monday, May 5, 4 to 5 p.m.
Location: UCI Medical Center, Building 55, Conference Room 212, 101 The City Drive South, Orange, CA | |
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| Pivot: Funding Search Tool |
| Pivot is a subscription-based funding search tool recommended by UC Irvine — available to all UC Irvine faculty, staff and students courtesy of the Office of Research — featuring opportunities worldwide and across all disciplines. The tool is powerful and thus far the best tool UC Irvine has found on the market for funding searches. Read more about Pivot on the Office of Research website.
For support on
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| Register for an NIH Grant Writing Workshop! |
| The School of Medicine Office of Research is hosting a full-day, in-person workshop, “Planning and Writing Successful NIH Proposals,” hosted by Dr. Jon-Michael Knapp of Luminint Consulting Group. The workshop will offer valuable insights into the grant application process, covering topics from developing a project plan to reviewing proposal feedback.
Friday, May 30, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: UC Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine campus
Registration is limited. To participate, faculty, research staff and postdoctoral scholars must register by Thursday, May 1, by completing this form and submitting a draft of their specific aims page. | |
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| From the Office of Research: Federal Communications |
| Due to shifts in the federal agency funding landscape, do not sign any certifications or acknowledgments, complete any surveys, or respond regarding grant compliance, change in abstract or scope of work, or project activities. Instead, forward such communications to Jeff Warner, Senior Director, Sponsored Projects Administration. Authorized Organizational Representatives (AORs) in the Office of Research will handle these matters. If you have trouble getting in touch with your Sponsored Programs offices/Contracts and Grants office, contact Nancy Lewis, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Administration. Learn more about the impact of federal executive orders and directives on federal grants and contracts.
For other questions or concerns, contact Paul Lekutai, Director, Federal and Non-Federal Sponsored Projects, or Jeff Warner.
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| To All Researchers: Learn More About International Shipping — Compliance is Required |
| Does your lab ship internationally? Before shipping, consult the UCI Office of Research’s website devoted to International Shipping. UC Irvine does not have a centralized shipping center for international or domestic shipments. In the absence of a centralized site, each sender must consider that regulatory requirements may apply depending on the item, destination, end-user and end-use.
To help ensure that UCI faculty, staff and students do not experience customs delays, seizure of goods or inadvertent violation of federal export laws, please submit a Shipment Review Form (PDF) to the Export Control Office. The review will help determine whether an export license is required. Please note that international shipments include items hand-carried or packed in baggage during travel outside the U.S.
The guidelines for international shipping can also be found on the School of Medicine Office of Research website.
Questions? Contact Export Control Officer Brian McCurdy. | | Back to top | | | |
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| Find funding opportunities for trainees, postdocs and early career faculty, and all faculty. For more funding opportunities and resources to help in your funding search, visit the Funding Opportunities page.
For a curated, searchable and filterable list of funding opportunities announced by NIH in their weekly NIH guide listserv, check out the School of Medicine Funding Search Tool.
The Research Development Unit (RDU) has created lists of intramural funding opportunities and foundation funding opportunities. If you have additional opportunities that should be included, contact the RDU.
Considering applying for a Limited Funding Opportunity? Typically, you submit a pre-proposal to the Office of Research via UCI Review. If the opportunity is not listed, contact the RDU.
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| | Postdocs & Early Career Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
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Call for Cancer Research Proposals
Eligibility: Investigators within the first six years of their first independent faculty position and in the following series are eligible: In Line, In Residence, Adjunct, Clinical-X, Clinical and Researcher. Awardees may not hold a competitive grant from a national agency (e.g., NIH, ACS, etc.) or be a previous recipient of an ACS-IRG seed grant. Learn more and apply.
Deadline: May 8, 2025
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| Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials: Career Development Award (Winn CDA) |
| The Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials: Career Development Award (Winn CDA)* for Early-Stage Investigator Physicians is now accepting applications for its fifth cohort of scholars. Please visit the website for more details on eligibility and the program.
*Formerly known as the Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials: Career Development Award.
Deadline: May 12, 2025 | |
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| Predoctoral Trainee Slot: Interdisciplinary Training Program in Skin Biology |
| Nominations are open for a predoctoral trainee to be supported from the T32 Interdisciplinary Training Program in Skin Biology, NIH T32 AR080622. Apply here.
Deadline: May 23, 2025 | |
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| Trainee Slots: MAXImizing Training in MUScle Research (MAXIMUS) T32 Training Program |
| The Muscle Biology and Disease Research Center is pleased to announce the call for applications for the MAXImizing Training in MUScle Research (MAXIMUS) T32 Training Program with funding beginning Oct. 1, 2025. They aim to support three PhD students and one postdoctoral scholar or clinical fellow. Learn more about MAXImizing Training in MUScle Research (MAXIMUS) and apply here.
Deadline: May 30, 2025 | |
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| | All Faculty Funding Opportunities | |
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Edward A. Dickson Emeriti Professorship
Deadline: April 30, 2025
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| Research Funding Opportunity: Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute Pilot Studies Award |
| The UCI Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI) Pilot Studies Program has a new call. A minimum of two one-year awards in the amount of $25,000 will be conferred in this round.
Purpose: To encourage early exploration of research ideas that address growing health challenges and add to the evidence base of integrative health practices.
Eligibility: Principal Investigators (PIs) must be full-time UCI faculty from any school or discipline. Junior and mid-career faculty, as well as established investigators, pursuing novel research lines are encouraged to apply.
Deadline: May 1, 2025 | |
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| Limited: W.M. Keck Foundation Research Program Grants |
| In reviewing proposals, the W.M. Keck Foundation program officers first ask, “What’s the new science?” Concept papers should provide a compelling argument that new knowledge discovery will result from the proposed project. The project should focus on answering a specific question and not be an open-ended investigation. Research may be any of the STEM fields.
Interested applicants are asked to submit a preliminary concept paper to the VCR’s office via UCI Review.
Deadline: May 12, 2025 | |
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| Limited: The Harold S. Geneen Charitable Trust Awards Program for Coronary Heart Disease Research |
| The Harold S. Geneen Charitable Trust Awards Program for Coronary Heart Disease Research supports research into the prevention and treatment of coronary heart disease or circulatory failure. The program focuses on basic and translational scientific research. Clinical studies are ineligible.
UCI may nominate only one candidate; therefore, interested applicants are asked to submit a preliminary application to the Office of Research via UCI Review.
Deadline: May 19, 2025
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| MDs & MD/PhDs: 2026 Harrington Scholar-Innovator Award |
| This is a unique program for physician-scientists to advance promising discoveries into medicines. The award offers successful applicants multiple opportunities for funding in addition to expertise from pharma-experienced leaders with a track record of bringing drugs to market. Intellectual property rights are retained by the award recipient and/or their institution. Learn more and apply for the Harrington Scholar-Innovator Award.
Letter of Intent deadline: June 4, 2025
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| FY25 DOD CDMRP Funding Announcements |
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| | | Upcoming Seminars & Events |
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| Department of Biological Chemistry BC Seminar Series |
| Recombination and Genome Instability: How a Friend Becomes a Foe, by Wolf-Dietrich Heyer, PhD, Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UC Davis College of Biological Sciences
Wednesday, April 30, 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall
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| CHOC and UC Irvine Distinguished Lecture Series |
| Improving Antibiotic Use Through Measuring Antibiotic Harms, by Matthew P. Kronman, MD, MSCE, Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine; Fellowship Program Director, Seattle Children’s Hospital
Wednesday, April 30, Noon to 1:15 p.m.
Via Zoom
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| Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar Series |
| Keeping Your Host Alive: Chlamydia Effector Proteins and the Regulation of Cell Death, by Raphael H. Valdivia, PhD, Professor and Chair, Department of Integrative Immunobiology; Nanaline Duke Professor of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, Duke University School of Medicine
Wednesday, April 30, 4 p.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House, Room 166, and via Zoom
Meeting ID: 974 3362 1700 | |
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| Catalyzing Future Medicines: Opportunities for Research and Collaboration in Neurotherapeutics |
| Presented by the UC Irvine School of Physical Sciences, this talk by Albert La Spada, MD, PhD, Founder and Director of the UCI Center for Neurotherapeutics, Distinguished Professor and Jack W. Peltason Endowed Chair, Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Neurology, Biological Chemistry, and Neurobiology & Behavior, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Thursday, May 1, 10 to 11 a.m.
Location: ISEB 1200
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| Navigating NIH's New Security Requirements |
| This month’s Genetics, Biomedical Computing & Genomics Monthly Seminar Series will discuss the current NIH new security requirements and UC Irvine’s implementation related to genomic data. Presented by Wanda Seang, Ancillary Agreements Officer, UCI Office of Research, and Jeff Warner, Senior Director of Sponsored Projects, UCI Office of Research. Learn more.
Friday, May 2, 10 to 11 a.m. PT
Via Zoom
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| Stem Cell Seminar Lecture Series |
| Designer Biomaterials for Organoid Culture, by Sarah Heilshorn, PhD, Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University. Hosted by the UCI Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center.
Friday, May 2, 11 a.m. to Noon
Location: Gross Hall, Thorp Conference Center (4th Floor)
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| Experimental Pathology Dissertation Defense |
| Pittsburgh Compound B Amyloid Binding and Brain Mineralization in Aging and Alzheimer Disease in People with Down Syndrome, by Jeremy Rouanet, PhD candidate, Head Lab, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Friday, May 2, 1 p.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Gross Hall, Thorp Conference Center Room 4001, and via Zoom
Meeting ID: 978 8130 4597
Passcode: 017629
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| Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology Dissertation Defense |
| Hippocampal Circuits in Depression and Mania: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Insights, by Celina Yang, MD/PhD candidate, Gary Lynch, PhD, Lab, Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Friday, May 2, 5 p.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House, Room 166, and via Zoom
Meeting ID: 987 0438 7287
Passcode: 178557 | |
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| Experimental Pathology Research Conferences |
| Research in Progress Sessions:
Role of MAP4K3 in mTOR Signaling Pathway, by Byeonggu Cha, PhD Student, Albert La Spada Lab, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Investigating the Use of a PARP Inhibitor as a Novel Approach to Chemotherapy-Induced Cognitive Impairments in Ovarian Cancer Models, by Dahlia Ordaz, PhD Student, Daniela Bota Lab, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Monday, May 5, 11 a.m. to noon PT
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House / Showa Denko Lecture Hall and via Zoom
Meeting ID: 945 0485 6334
Passcode: 690300
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| Presented by Chuck Huber, PhD, StataCorp. The UCI Center for Statistical Consulting and ICTS Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Research and Design units are pleased to announce our series of FREE virtual courses on Stata! Stata is a popular statistical analysis software that many researchers find useful. All workshops are at noon via Zoom.
- Wednesday, May 7: Structural Equation Modeling (150 minutes) | Register
- Wednesday, June 4: Latent Class Analysis Using Stata (90 minutes) | Register
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| Department of Physiology & Biophysics Research in Progress Seminar |
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|  Peter Ellsworth
Graduate Student
Qin Yang, MD, PhD, Lab
|  Sherry Leung
Graduate Student
Rui Chen, PhD, Lab
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| - ZC3H13 Dysregulation via Alternative Polyadenylation Promotes Diabetes in Humans and Male Mice, by Peter Ellsworth
- Designing AAV8-Mediated Gene Therapy for SPATA7-Linked Leber Congenital Amaurosis and Retinitis Pigmentosa, by Sherry Leung
Wednesday, May 7, 4 to 5 p.m.
Location: Plumwood House Lecture Hall | |
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| Integrative Play: A Healing Commons — A Two-Hour Embodiology® Workshop with Dr. S. Ama Wray |
| You are invited to apply to participate in a workshop on communication and healing. This two-hour workshop employs a train-the-trainer model to promote holistic healing practices through Embodiology®. We also encourage observational learning by attending as an audience member. Participants will receive their own Integrative Play T-shirt and takeaway wellness resources! There will be live musical accompaniment! Light food and refreshments will be provided. Register for this complimentary event by May 1.
Thursday, May 8, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Location: The Commons at UCI Research Park, 5301 California Ave., Irvine, CA | |
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| UCI Center for Neuropolitics Lecture Series |
| Political Incivility, Threat and Polarized Politics, by Bryan T. Gervais, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and Geography, University of Texas at San Antonio. This event is part of the UCI Center for Neuropolitics Lecture Series. It is free, virtual and open to all. Friday, May 9, Noon to 1:15 p.m. PT
Via Zoom
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| Monthly on Mondays | Faculty Development Series |
| Navigating the Academic Journey with Family Support, presented by Sheetal Desai, MD, Ilona Pak and Thuy Vu. Monthly on Mondays, presented by Nimisha Parekh, MD, and Brian Cummings, PhD, associate deans of faculty development, is a monthly seminar series covering a wide range of topics on faculty development.
Monday, May 12, 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.
Via Zoom | |
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| Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics Seminar Series |
| Microbial Cancer Therapies — Mechanisms of invasion and activation of innate immunity in tumors, by Meggie Danielson, Graduate Student, Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, UC Irvine School of Medicine
Thursday, May 22, 9 a.m. PT
Location: Hybrid event at Plumwood House, Room 166, and via Zoom
Meeting ID: 962 5711 7238 | |
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| Faculty Mentoring Academy – UCI Academic Personnel |
| The Faculty Mentoring Academy will be delivered via a series of five workshops held during the course of each academic year. Faculty who attend three of the five workshops (over a two-year period) will be eligible to receive a certificate, reflecting the designation of having attended the “Faculty Mentoring Academy.” The fifth workshop will be on “Effective Communication.”
Thursday, May 22, 10 a.m. to Noon
Location: Donald Bren Hall 6011, 6th Floor Seminar Room
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| Register Now: 9th Annual UCI Postdoctoral Scholar Research Symposium |
| Don't miss the chance to share your research and connect with postdocs at UCI’s 9th Annual Postdoctoral Scholar Research Symposium. This year’s theme is TED Talk Your Research — a full day of oral and poster presentations, professional development and networking.
Register as a guest and join the fun. Deadline: Thursday, May 15
You’re welcome to join the event at any time at the UCI Student Center. Breakfast and lunch will be served to registered guests on a first-come, first-served basis.
Thursday, June 5, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: UCI Student Center, Emerald Bay DE
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| UCI Center for Neural Circuit Mapping (CNCM) 2025 Conference — Register by May 19 |
| The Changing Brain. Co-sponsored by the UCI Center for Neural Circuit Mapping (CNCM), Cajal Club and the Allen Institute for Brain Science. We aim to host a leading-edge conference in 2025, bringing together thought leaders in neuroscience who will offer unique perspectives on integrating the different facets of neural circuits — structure, function, development and disease. Learn more about the speaker lineup and conference details at 2025 CNCM Conference. Register by May 19.
Aug. 18–21
Location: Irvine Marriott, 18000 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, CA 92612 | |
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| Grand Rounds and CME Symposia |
| | For Continuing Medical Education (CME) opportunities, view the weekly Grand Rounds & CME Symposia email. | | Back to top | | | |
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| Do you have an open research-related position you would also like announced in Research Insider? Please fill out this form to have your open position listed.
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| What kind of grant support does the School of Medicine Research Development Unit provide? |
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| What kind of grant support does the RDU provide to Physician Scientists? |
| Along with the general grant support the RDU provides (outlined above), there are multiple programs available outlined on the Physician Scientist Resources page. - Physician Scientist Collective: Monthly seminar series with visiting speakers
- Physician Scientist Pathways Certificate Course: Six-week, 12-hour hybrid course that introduces clinicians to research pathways
- Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP): Helps physician scientists apply for their first K award
- Dean’s K Scholar: Provides awardees the protected time and mentorship needed to obtain NIH K/ equivalent funding
- Clinical Trialist Training Program (CTTP): Supports junior faculty on externally funded clinical trials through a 2-year partnership program with senior investigators already running clinical trials
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