Institutional Career Development Core

SUMMARY KL2 There is an emerging workforce crisis in the number of scientists entering translational research careers. This shortage is occurring against the backdrop of increasing complexity in modern scientific research, where single discipline research studies simply cannot answer the challenges that face modern medicine today. The ever-

growing complexity of 21st century translational science requires transdisciplinary (TD) team-based research that integrates and extends beyond discipline-specific concepts, approaches, and methods to accelerate the innovations that will solve complex real-world problems. The NCATS KL2 career development

program is a key initiative designed to maintain and expand the pipeline of innovative, collaborative and productive clinical-translational scientists though implementation of customized individual development plans (IDPs), TD mentoring, and individualized curricula. Our goal is to develop a cohort of TD scientists who have

the breadth and depth of skills necessary to navigate the critical future issues of health and disease in our increasingly complex world. In our newly envisaged ConduITS career development program, we will focus on training TD clinical translational research data scientists. The KL2 scholars will be trained in core competencies

including epidemiology, study design, biostatistics/data science, informatics, clinical trials, and ethical/regulatory guidelines, as well as have broad exposure to the methodological steps of the translational process from discovery to community engagement via innovation, life course research, and workforce

development. Moreover, we focus on training team-based clinical and translational researchers by leveraging our rich research environment of large-scale clinical datasets, well-established cohorts and biobanks, such as the BioMe Biobank and the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) cohort among other

big data resources. Our state of the art programs in genomics and exposomics, and strong community engagement have helped Mount Sinai develop a number of highly innovative programs in drug discovery, entrepreneurship, and team-building, bringing together biomedical research stakeholders that reflect scientific

expertise across the lifespan. Our workshops, short courses and advanced training seminars focus on strategic areas, such as informatics, big data, workforce development, team science, and community engagement, as well as academic skills including scientific writing, negotiation skills, conflict resolution, industry interactions,

federal grant preparation and management, and the promotion process. We also offer a mentor training program aimed to teach mentors the skills that will help improve the mentoring experience, promote mentees’ growth and help build resilience and confidence. Furthermore, to provide our younger generation of scientists

networking opportunities, we are building an institutional K-Club of successful junior faculty with career development grants, to serve as a communication hub for various career development activities. Finally, we partner with the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to promote a more diverse cohort of KL2 scholars.