1. Strategies For Developing A Successful Research Program From Fellow to Faculty David M. Aronoff, MD Assoc. Professor Division of Infectious Diseases Department of Internal Medicine Department of Microbiology & Immunology Reproductive Sciences Program Graduate Program in Immunology University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA Commentaries by Drs. Helen Boucher, Didier Pittet, Craig Rubens & Robert A. Bonomo

2. The Academic Triad Research/Scholarship EducationPatient Care

3. Climbing the Academic Ladder Instructor / Lecturer (non-tenure) Asst. Professor - regional reputation Assoc. Professor - national reputation Professor - international reputation

4. Research Program Development Phases  Fellowship  Transition from training  Academic position

5. Fellowship Phase  Stage of research training dependent on research experience Graduate student to postdoctoral level  Choose the research topic- track record starts here!!!! The “do-able” The “not so do-able” The “low hanging fruit”

6. Fellowship Phase  Choose the mentor- success starts here!!!! Access Training Experience / track record Goal- learning scientific method depending on background experience Research mentor understands clinical training demands Determine mobility of project beyond fellowship

7. Fellowship Research Training Environment Other personnel- relied upon for day to day training/advice Resources- equipment, supplies, study coordinators, collaborating research programs, protocol application help (IRB, animal, etc) Well defined objectives- understand program/mentor expectations; flexibility

8. Fellowship Research Training Environment Obtainable project goals Clear milestones of achievement  Research presentations  Publications  Grant applications Feedback mechanisms

9. Fellowship Research Training- Skills to Learn Scientific method/technology; hypothesis testing Collaboration (the art of….) Personnel management “know the battles to fight” Writing manuscripts, grants, reviews, authorship & publication etiquette- do it from the beginning Presentations- communication skills Budget management IRB / animal use protocols

10. Transition Phase- Fellowship   Planning during mid-late 2 nd year (3 year stint) Publications- need in press by grant submissions  Assess plans for type of career- academic vs industry vs private practice vs other Determine “need” for additional training Target specific grant(s)- internal & external (negotiation process)

11.  Research position requirements / opportunities Local vs. other Identify type of faculty pathway or industry positions  Planning with mentor/advisor- timing applications & interviews Transition Phase- Fellowship 

12.  Understand institution, department, mentor requirements for application  Remember: most transition awards require commitment of institution to protect ~75-80% time for research  Define objectives of grant aims 4 months prior to application deadline  Balance remaining fellowship clinical training with research time especially around grant deadlines Transition Phase- Fellowship 

13. Transition Phase- Planning During 3 rd Year  Define timetable with mentor & program director  Refine career objectives  Applications for positions & interview timing  Grant applications- presubmission reviews are key!!!  Publications & finish program requirements  Use research presentations at national/regional meetings to network & develop reputation

14.  Job negotiations to include: Protected time Startup including supplies / equipment / personnel / space New mentor for transition award if new institution  May not be same as overall faculty mentor Identification of key core services/collaborators Minimal committee & teaching time Transition Phase- Planning During 3 rd Year

15. The Academic Ladder Professor Instructor Assistant Professor Associate Professor ????

16. Junior position phase Oh Joy-!!!!--- I got my position, a bucket o’ money, a new office, and research space- NOW WHAT??? ***KEY PEARL*** stay “hands on” with research experiments/projects- don’t attempt to delegate everything and run things from your office!!!!!

17. Junior Position Phase (operational plan)  Research program is a small business!!!  Success promoted by communication & management skills Get lab/project setup:  Spending start up- don’t need to spend all at beginning Equipment- includes identifying core service resources Supplies- basic and project specific Personnel- technician optimal  Time management- stay connected  Personnel management

18. Junior Position Phase (operational plan)  Budget management- you are responsible as the PI!  Record keeping; grants management  Lab procedure/policy development  Protocols- IRB, animal use, SOP’s, radiation use, etc.  Compliance monitoring

19. Junior Position Phase (program issues)  Establish new mentor & key scientific mentor/advisor  Stay focused on primary question of transition grant/project  Avoid chasing side projects If compelling observation double check with mentor for second opinion- can go either way

20. Junior Position Phase (program issues)  Side project/activity = time and money from primary objective  Watch for the “ego stroking” requests which impose on time Committees, extra lectures & teaching obligations Chapter/textbook writing & editing

21.  Establish frequent opportunities for interaction/feedback Division/dept presentations Work in progress seminars Journal clubs research area Senior PI’s with similar projects/technology interests  Publish peer reviewed manuscripts !!!!!  Small number of trainees to start with- big time commitment Junior Position Phase (program issues)

22. Summary  Research program development is long term process  Success by establishing long term thematic project in fellowship training  Continuous mentorship critical  Learn the grant/contract application process- start early  Well focused project/objectives essential  Maintain perspective on short term steps to obtain long term objectives

23.  Stay focused on central theme of project and maintain hands on approach to experimentation  Develop communication and management skills  Seek feedback through various mechanisms and often  Thematic productivity is your measure of success  Success required to maintain funding  Personal relationships are key (work and home) Summary

24. Resources  Academic Scientists at Work- Navigating the Biomedical Research Career- Jeremy Boss and Susan Eckert, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 2003  Howard Hughes Medical Institute: http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_development/tool s_resources/how_to_guides http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_development/tool s_resources/how_to_guides  How to Succeed in Academics, 2 nd Ed; LL MacCabe, ERB McCabe – Academic Press, 2010  NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Program (www.lrp.nih.gov)