The Clinical Research/Reproductive Scientist Training Program (CREST)

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Clinical Research/REproductive Scientist Training Program (CREST) has trained 88 physician scientists in the conduct of clinical research, has enabled these physicians to participate in multicenter clinical trials and secondary data analyses, and has helped further their careers and create a cadre of leaders in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Didactic training in biostatistical methodology is combined with a hands-on mentored team science project (MTSP) to guide Scholars through the data analysis and publication process. Throughout the program, mentorship and networking are emphasized to provide early career interactions with academic societies within their specialties and pathways to leadership. CREST Scholars have produced a total of 1,874 unique peer-reviewed publications since the start of the program in 2005. Specific aims of the current proposal will build upon past successes to: 1. Train the Reproductive Medicine workforce to meet the national need for clinical research. It is more critical than ever to educate trainees in clinical research and apply these principles to clinical practice. We shall continue to train up to 6 Scholars per year. 2. Promote diversity in the biomedical research workforce by recruiting and training Scholars who are underrepresented in Medicine (URiM) and equipping them for success. We shall improve our data capture and followup of URiMs recruited to CREST and apply best practice to welcome new URiM candidates to the program. 3. Provide ‘holistic’ mentoring for Scholars extending to their home institutions. We shall identify an experienced, senior faculty member who will provide one-on-one support for each Scholar’s research experience as well as longer term mentoring beyond the program’s 2-year time frame. By building upon our programmatic strengths and extending the reach of our mentoring protocols, we plan to continue our exceptional success in preparing for the future of the field. CREST has trained 7 academic Division Chiefs in Ob/Gyn, one department Chair, and two Presidents of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility to date, along with multiple committee members of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.