NUCATS T32

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT We propose an innovative T32 postdoctoral training program, Equitable TRanslational science to Accelerate Impact of New innovations (E-TRAIN) T32, for the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences (NUCATS) Institute. This 2-year program will catalyze the careers of postdoctoral

scientists, expanding their domain expertise through mentored research, and develop foundational skills in cross-disciplinary team science to accelerate development, validation, and dissemination of new health innovations. Inclusive excellence is applied as a foundation of professional behaviors and management skills.

Emphasizing equitable and anti-racist study design will support human-centered design, dissemination, and translation. Trainees will apply study design principles for inclusive and generalizable research, aligned with the National Center for Advancing Translational Science goal of “bringing more treatments to all people more

quickly” by reducing clinical and translational science (CTS) barriers. E-TRAIN will emphasize strategies to advance biomedical innovations from discovery to implementation to long-term sustainability, with an objective to drive rapid, scalable, and sustainable translation from laboratory to clinical and community

settings. Interdisciplinary co-mentoring and coaching will engage faculty from across Northwestern University and its clinical affiliates, providing an unparalleled experience in transdisciplinary team science. We will emphasize the development of strong communication skills to engage and inform academic, industry, and

community audiences through interactive, experiential learning formats. Trainees will thus build foundational skills for future leadership in academia, industry, and communities, enriching the CTS workforce. Key E-TRAIN program elements are a) trainee-centric, holistic career development tools and supports;

b) a novel co-mentoring approach that integrates implementation science at all stages of translational research; and c) multi-modal seminars and activities to attain essential knowledge, skills and abilities across the translational science spectrum. A strong emphasis on work-life integration, wellness, and development of

reflective practices promotes resilience and retention in translational research. The program leaders have strong track records in education and mentoring as well as complementary skill sets spanning pre-clinical development to implementation science.