Mentors and Mentees: Resources for Investigators at MUSC Marc I. Chimowitz, MB,ChB Professor of Neurology Associate Dean of Faculty Development MUSC

YEAR K23 Awards Pipeline to Funded Independent Clinical Researchers: Number of “K23” Awards

YEAR K24 Awards 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 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 November Application deadline February 2009 Review March / April and Funding July 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: ,

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 Campus Society 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 Ideas  Help Find Committed Senior Mentors  Create 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 Phone: (Denae Burke, assistant) (direct) Office: MUSC Stroke Center, 5 th floor Harborview