NRSA Training Core

Kidney, urologic, and nonmalignant hematological (KUH) diseases contribute to morbidity, mortality, and escalating healthcare costs. A multidisciplinary workforce of KUH scientists is needed to pioneer new discoveries and translate them into effective strategies for diagnosis and treatment This TL 1 Training Core will integrate - for the first time - physician and PhD trainees across adult and pediatric KUH scientific areas at the University of Washington and its partnering institutions and foster their success in a scientific research career. This Training Program will recruit, select, and support 12 trainees per year in KUH science to be distributed as 8 postdoctoral trainees (postdoctoral physician and PhD scientists) and 4 predoctoral PhD students who are pursuing KUH research in an accredited degree program at the UW. Trainees will have wide ranging opportunities to conduct their research with at least one of 61 faculty mentors who lead actively funded KUH research and demonstrate a track record of successful mentorship. The Program will support trainees through structured plans for mentorship, systematic approaches for setting and monitoring goals, and consistent mechanisms for evaluation. This Training Program will be supported by the Professional Development Core, which will bolster trainees' scientific and career development skills by delivering customized educational programs and research resources. The Training Program will be further supported by the Network Core, which will build community among trainees by creating a Virtual Platform that connects all Program activities, implementing a peer and near peer mentorship program, and other networking activities. A Diversity Team, led by the Vice Dean of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion will strive to increase representation of trainees, faculty, and leaders from underrepresented backgrounds by forging partnerships with key stakeholders. Five-year goals of the Program are for >50% of physician trainees to obtain career development awards and > 75% of PhD students to complete their degree and enter careers in KUH science.