Reproductive and Child Health StaRR Program

SUMMARY The objective of this R38 is to increase the number of next generation physician-scientists that can apply knowledge of microbiology, immunology, and research techniques for the improvement of reproductive, maternal and child health. We request support for 4 physician-scientists in pediatrics or obstetrics/gynecology residency to complete one year of laboratory-based immunology or infectious disease training. The major strength of our program is the world-class faculty mentors that span expertise across bacterial and viral infectious diseases, immune system development, infectious disease immunology, autoimmunity, allergy, cancer immunology and vaccines, immunodeficiencies, innate and adaptive immunity, vaccinology, antibody response, functional genomics of the immune system and response, and immunotherapeutics. Our program features a training program that combines research with an R38 seminar series to strengthen and build our students’ critical thinking, scientific communication, responsible conduct of research, and skills in navigating academic medicine unique to physician-scientists. Our trainees will benefit from the rich, diverse, and interactive infectious disease and immunology community at University of Washington and our Seattle partner institutions: Benaroya Research Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and Seattle Children's Research Institute. During and after their R38 year, we will provide trainees with opportunities to interact with one another to build a community of early-stage physician-scientists in reproductive, maternal and child health. Our R38 Seminar Series features training not only in scientific communication, but also in leadership strategies, professionalism, negotiation, and work-life balance that are critical for navigating hurdles in academic medicine. A unique highlight of the program is an ongoing commitment to scholars after completion of their award by providing mentoring in grant writing for their first K38 or other career development proposals by a team of dedicated faculty members. Our program features five Specific Aims: 1) to provide innovative scientific training in immunology and infectious diseases focused on reproductive and child health, 2) to create and support effective mentor-mentee relationships, 3) to enhance success in transitioning to career development awards through grant writing mentorship during and after the R38 award, 4) to recruit and support resident physician-scientists from diverse backgrounds, and 5) to evaluate scholars, mentors and the overall program. In summary, we will leverage the rich scientific environment that supports infectious disease and immunology research in Seattle to enhance the career development of physician-scientists in reproductive, maternal and child health.