Reproductive Scientist Development Program

Project Summary/Abstract The Reproductive Scientist Development Program (RSDP) is a highly diverse, multi-disciplinary, multi- institutional research career development program for obstetrician-gynecologists in cell and molecular biology and related fundamental sciences. The objective of this program is to educate obstetrician-gynecologists in contemporary basic science research related to reproductive medicine and biology in order to prepare them for research careers in academic medicine. The overall goal is to help ensure that academic obstetrics and gynecology fulfills its mission to increase research and discovery in the reproductive sciences. Outstanding MD/PhD, PhD, and MD scientists with broad research experience serve as faculty mentors. A unique feature of this program is that outstanding individuals, upon completing a residency in obstetrics and gynecology, and in many cases two or three years of clinical subspecialty fellowship, spend two years (Phase I) in fundamental science research laboratories under the supervision and mentorship of experienced, highly regarded accomplished scientists. During Phase I, Scholars are dedicated to a minimum of 75% protected research effort. Following this experience, Scholars spend an additional two-year period establishing their research program in a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Phase II) and transitioning to independence. Here, the Scholar serves as a junior faculty member with at least 75% time devoted to developing an independent research career. For the past five (5) years, salary support for scholars has been provided by NICHD, while support for research related expenses has been provided from the various non- federal agencies who contribute to the RSDP program. NICHD funding under this mechanism will continue to support up to 2 Scholars for the duration of Phase I and Phase II. This program will continue to educate young physician scientists in Obstetrics and Gynecology and replenish the pipeline of reproductive scientists. The RSDP has a rich history of accomplishing this goal already and is committed to continuing its objective of producing physician scientists who are highly competitive for federal and non-federal research funding and who will become the next leaders of our academic obstetrics and gynecology departments.