CTSA Postdoctoral T32 at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Training the next generation of translational scientists to transform discoveries into benefits for clinical care will require a strong research foundation adjoined to pioneering training in innovation and entrepreneurship. Here, we propose a new T32 Postdoctoral Training Program, the Health Sciences Innovation and Entrepreneurship (HSIE) Training Program, which is designed as an innovative learning solution to speed the process of turning observations in the laboratory into clinical interventions to improve the health of individuals and the public. The two-year, multi-disciplinary HSIE Training Program will offer traditional department-based research training and deep disciplinary knowledge to trainees in the Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Public Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Basic skills of entrepreneurship also will be taught to postdoctoral trainees, who exhibit a passion for transforming health science discoveries into new diagnostics, medications, medical devices, and telemedicine products. Seventy- nine of the most innovative clinical and translational scientists across our campus will serve on coaching teams with primary research mentors and entrepreneurship advisors from the Arkansas business community to formulate individual development plans with trainees that will harmonize with their career goals. Trainees will earn a 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Health Science Innovation and Entrepreneurship that will provide individualized experiences tailored to their career interests including industry internships, shadowing of entrepreneurs, and other opportunities to cross boundaries. The HSIE Training Program will sponsor a 2-credit cross-CTSA seminar series, “Health Science Entrepreneurs: Innovators of Health Care”, which will offer postdocs the opportunity to interact with national entrepreneurs, learn about varied career paths within the translational science spectrum, and increase entrepreneurial activity across CTSA hubs by heightening awareness of the steps required to translate new technologies and concepts through commercialization into improved health care. Three 3-credit courses will be offered to trainees by the nationally ranked Graduate Entrepreneurship Program in the Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas flagship campus in Fayetteville. After learning business principles, a Capstone Project is a gateway for teams of interdisciplinary trainees to gain skills in communication, systems thinking, and process innovation while they develop a business plan for translating a research discovery into a health care product or service. The HSIE Training Program is an exciting opportunity that directly addresses the NRSA program objective of the National Center for Advancing Translational Scientists (NCATS) to equip trainees with the knowledge, skills and abilities to advance diagnostics, therapeutics, clinical interventions and behavioral modifications that improve health.