Training to Enhance Researcher Resilience and Adaptability (TERRA)

Project Abstract Biomedical research scientists face unique career challenges that, if unaddressed, hinder the success, well-being, and ultimately retention of this specialized workforce. Curricular support to meet these threats to well-being first requires a comprehensive understanding of the diverse experiences of biomedical research scientists, across specialties and career stages. After conducting interviews with biomedical research program directors, and focus groups with biomedical faculty and research trainees across our institution, we will develop a set of modules to address well-being needs along four tracks: a Foundational track that provides content on the Six Areas of Worklife and how they bear on well-being; a Resilience track that provides evidence-based tools for formulating a personal plan for well-being and navigating the rejection that is inherent to a successful biomedical research career; a Relational Support track that identifies strategies for developing healthy mentorship and sponsorship relationships and techniques for collaborative research success, and a Programmatic Infrastructure track that includes support for navigating differences, identity formation, and building capacity for adaptability. A series of facilitator guides will accompany the modules to allow for consistency in interactive content. Each module will be evaluated for its educational value through mixed- methods investigation, and in consultation with an advisory board composed of graduate education experts, directors of educational assessment, leadership from the UCSF Office of Career and Professional Development, diversity and learner success, student and faculty academic affairs, faculty equity, and a Chief Wellness Officer. A randomized controlled study design will allow for assessment of the impact of training materials on validated well-being, resilience, career self-efficacy and adaptability measures. The training materials will be made freely available and will provide a sustainable set of tools for building well-being, resilience, and adaptability in our biomedical research scientist workforce.