How can we provide better support for junior investigators who are transitioning from K Award to R Award funding?

Sleep and circadian disorders are relatively new areas of medicine. Most universities currently lack a critical mass of investigators to develop institutional T32 grants. Thus, there are, unfortunately, few such programs nationally. The Sleep Research Society has recognized this and is taking active steps to facilitate development of other T32 institutional training grants.

This will not, however, help the majority... more »

The strategic vision to enhance translation and to enhance the workforce both require training that spans the scope of basic science, pre-clinical development, clinical trials. We lack coherent mechanisms for training the next generation of translational researchers, some of whom may be MDs, and some PhDs. A program should provide cross-training of Clinical Fellows and Postdocs to reflect the needed interactions between... more »

Although the NCRR and NIGMS used to have a mechanism to train new generation of clinical & translational scientists, this program was stopped. Why?

What is the possibility of other institutes to come up with the priority of funding resources in this regard?

One of the major challenges in translating from bench-to-bedside and back is communication: the ability of basic and clinical scientists to understand each other's scientific language to be able to appreciate the importance of the other’s research questions and findings.

How do we attract more students/trainees into fields that are not popularized by “catchy” names?

Would using multi-disciplinary teams (nutritionists, exercise physiologists, social workers, nurses, etc.) be an effective approach to applying lifestyle medicine to improve patient care?

What are the best strategies to develop a highly competent diverse Implementation Science research workforce to address health inequities?

As the current chair of the Research and Training Division, I would like to convey that the AAAAI membership would like the NHLBI to consider the following in the development of its strategic plan:

 

Since the focus of research has changed over the past decade, training programs need to be encouraged to use newer models of research in their training and mentoring of potential research faculty.

As the current chair of the Research and Training Division, I would like to convey that the AAAAI membership would like the NHLBI to consider the following in the development of its strategic plan:

 

NHLBI should be challenged on how best to provide career development grants to junior faculty involved in “group based” clinical and bench science.

What are the best methods to identify future training areas and develop/adapt training and mentorship programs to address future critical needs?

There is a need to develop training programs, mentorship, and collaborations that cross boundaries and prepare researchers for future transdisciplinary needs.

Expanding the base of the program foci (e.g. including NCI in addition to the current HLBS).

Expanding the training efforts (e.g. greater number of funded summer programs, extend training beyond 2 summers, provision for 5-year grants so an additional cohort can be included) would be highly beneficial.

NIH is already facing a challenge in increasing the number and viability of researchers of color. Obesity research in black (or other high risk minority) populations can be used to explore how research training programs that focus on specific issues of importance to populations of color might contribute to the recruitment and success of ethnic minority researchers in the NIH system.