Mentors and Mentees: Resources for Investigators at MUSC
Marc I. Chimowitz, MB,ChB
Professor of Neurology
Associate Dean of Faculty Development
MUSC
MUSC Clinical Research
$-
$5,000,000
$10,000,000
$15,000,000
$20,000,000
$25,000,000
$30,000,000
$35,000,000
2006 2007 2008
Corporate
Federal
Other Support
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
2006 2007 2008
YEAR
K23
Aw
ard
s
Pipeline to Funded Independent Clinical Researchers: Number of “K23” Awards
00.5
11.5
22.5
33.5
44.5
5
2006 2007 2008
YEAR
K24
Aw
ard
s
Funded Mentors: Number of “K24” Awards
Clinical Research is Hard!Some Challenges of Clinical Research:
Schizophrenic Responsibilities Can’t Do It as A Hobby – Need Protected Time Designing Innovative and Relevant Clinical
Research Projects is Hard Funding Challenging Can’t Purchase Subjects
i.e., Mentors and Mentees Need Help!
Resources for Expanding Clinical Research at MUSC
GCRC >>>> CTSA – South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research Institute (SCTR)
MSCR Program
SCTR K12 Scholars Program in Clinical and Translational Science
SCTR Pilot Project Program
Office of Research Development Office (ORD)
SUCCESS Center
MUSC’s Department of Biometry and Epidemiology
A Multi-disciplinary Program Designed to:
Teach core competency in clinical research methods
Foster development of a sustainable research focus
Provide participant with the skills to compete for extramural support
Master of Science in Clinical Research Program (MSCR)
MSCR Program Specifics:
2 years - Part time Classes
Courses examples include ethics, epidemiology, biostatistics, design and conduct of clinical trials
Required item: development of a grant proposal with the goal of being ready for submission by the end of the MSCR program
SCTR K12 Scholars Program in Clinical and Translational Science
Launched in 2007 with Institutional Funds
Up to 3 years Salary Support @ 75% effort (max. $100,000 per year) to Promising Junior Faculty
Annual Supply Budget $10,000, and up to 5% Salary Support for Mentor
Program Faculty Support for Research Design, Statistics, Publishing, and Grant Writing
SCTR K12 Scholars Program in Clinical and Translational Science
Requires Applicant to Obtain Training in Clinical and Translational Research
2007: 12 Applicants - 2 Chosen
2008: Announcement NovemberApplication deadline February 2009Review March / April and Funding July 20091-2 Will be Funded, Up to 4 in Future if CTSA Funded
SCTR Pilot Project Program
Launched 2006 with Institutional Funds
Funds Promising Pilot Studies, Supporting Grant Applications for Larger, Externally Funded Studies
RFA March 2008: 89 Applications, 17 Funded, Total Awarded $880,000
CTSA Requests Additional Support
Office of Research Development (ORD)
The 3 F’s of ORD:
Funding: Identify Extramural Funding Opportunities
Forms: Sponsor, Institutional, Boilerplate Text, Biosketches, Metrics
Free Advice: Assistance with Protocol Development, Grantsmanship Workshops
Director Peggy Schachte BA, MBA Office:792-5828, email [email protected]
Research Navigation Support:
Collaborator & Mentor Matching, Links Investigators to Institutional Cores, Programs
Consultation for Regulatory Submissions
Consultation for Study Subject Recruitment
Lists Studies on Clinical Trials Registry
Grant Budget Development
Leadership Committed to Growing Clinical Research
Created Position of Associate Dean of Faculty Development
Charge: Help Faculty (particularly Junior Faculty) Develop Clinical Investigative Careers
My Strategy For Clinical Research Development
Main Focus Points:
1. Develop an Academic Society of Junior Clinical Investigators Across CampusSociety of Clinical Research and Translational Early Scientists (SOCRATES)
2. Develop Mentor Leadership Committee Representing all Colleges
3. Increase the Number of MUSC Designed Multi-center Clinical Trials and Large Epidemiologic Studies
4. Provide Resource to Clinical Departments for Developing Strong Junior Faculty Mentoring Programs
Members of SOCRATES
□ Graduates of MSCR Program on Faculty at MUSC
□ Current MSCR Students on Faculty
□ Current and Previous K-awardees at MUSC
□ Current and Previous VA Career Awardees
□ Anyone else who would like to participate!
1. SOCRATES GOALS
Increase Number of K23 Awards and First R01s
Train Next Generation of MUSC Mentors
1. SOCRATES ACTIVITIES
Monthly (Wed 5pm) Meetings For Junior Faculty to Present Research Projects
in Front of Peers, Senior Researchers, Statisticians and Epidemiologists
To Meet Researchers in Other Departments & Foster Collaboration Across Multiple Subspecialties at MUSC
To Discuss Ways to Enhance Clinical and Translational Research Across the Campus
To Provide Information on Research Opportunities (e.g., grant announcements)
Ad Hoc Meetings e.g., meet with Editor of JAMA
2. Mentor Leadership Committee
Mentors Nominated to Committee by Deans of all Colleges.
Responsibilities: Formulate institutional policies on mentoring across
campus Monitor success of mentoring programs, recommend
appropriate changes “Think tank” for novel mentoring programs across
campus, e.g. special K events
3. Increase the Number of MUSC Initiated Multi-Center Clinical Studies
Work with Mid-level and Senior Investigators who Wish to Design and Lead Externally Funded Multicenter Clinical Trials and Large Epidemiology Studies
Accomplished by Providing Opportunity to Consult with Experienced MUSC NIH-funded Clinical Scientists, Statisticians, and Epidemiologists
Will Provide Design, Statistical, and Data Management Input Necessary for Successful Grant Applications
MUSC led Multi-center Grants have High Pay-off – Indirects alone in the Millions
4. Help Clinical Departments Develop Strong Mentoring Programs
Currently Several Good Examples Across Campus: Medicine, Psychiatry, Neurosciences
Common Features of Successful Mentoring Programs: Provide Departmental Forum for Presenting
Research IdeasHelp Find Committed Senior MentorsCreate a Committee to Review Grants Before
Submitted
Responsibility and Accountability to achieve results …
Junior Investigators - Take advantage of What MUSC is Providing
Senior Investigators – Participate in Mentoring Process (e.g., Mentor Leadership Committee, attend SOCRATES!)
Dr. Chimowitz – Track Utility of SOCRATES and K12 programs, Modify as Needed
Chairs – Support and Push Talented Investigators, Improve Departmental Mentoring Programs, Promote Research
Leadership – Continue to Promote Culture of Research Excellence
Contact Information:
Marc Chimowitz, MBChB [email protected] Phone: 843 792-3020 (Denae Burke,
assistant)
843 792-2126 (direct) Office: MUSC Stroke Center, 5th floor
Harborview