Mountain States Advancement in Research, Supportive Networking and Career Development (ASCEND)

About This Grant

The overarching goal of our Mountain States ASCEND Advancement in Research, Supportive Networking and Career Development Program TL1 Training Program is to build an outstanding workforce of KUH researchers through the creation of a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and team-based research training program. Our pathway to resolution of our KUH workforce crisis demands a departure from conventional thinking and embrace a paradigm shift in how we train the next generation. We propose training efforts to span the translational spectrum, from basic science to pre-clinical animal models, to human clinical trials and community research, leveraging the full spectrum of resources encompassed by the ASCEND Program. We will capitalize on the rich and interdisciplinary research communities at the University of Colorado (CU) and the University of Utah (UU) to carry out this goal. Our model for training and growing the KUH workforce includes: 1) Create a continuous pathway of support to help trainees navigate challenging career transition points. Each trainee will receive support that is individualized to their career development needs; 2) Provide meaningful research opportunities to support identify formation as a KUH investigator and provide motivation to pursue and persist in KUH careers; 3) Foster effective mentorship and peer support, two of the most effective strategies for promoting social and academic integration into the KUH culture; 4) Advocate for supportive environments to diminish “pull” factors drawing people away from KUH careers; and 5) Support program evaluation with a focus on longitudinal outcomes to guide and revise training efforts. Our TL1 program requests funds for 6 predoctoral and 6 postdoctoral positions to be shared across the two institutions. Drs. Kendrick and Neeves will co-lead the Training Core, as each are outstanding educators and leaders with unique and complementary expertise. They will be assisted by the Research Oversight and Trainee Selection Committee. We have assembled a talented and experienced group of 77 faculty mentors with an exceptional record of training and extramural funding. Collectively, our ASCEND mentors have graduated 273 predocs and 500 postdocs, of which over 82% have continued in research-related careers. Each trainee will be paired with an established and emerging mentor. Trainees will be in the program for a minimum of 2 years. Each trainee will have an intensive, cross-disciplinary research experience with the training necessary to achieve core competencies in research. Career development initiatives will be offered in team science, leadership, oral and written presentation skills, among others. Individualized career development plans will facilitate oversight and guidance for each trainee in completing goals and milestones. All trainees will complete training in the Responsible Conduct of Research. All mentors and mentees will complete the ASCEND Co-Mentor program to solidify effective mentoring relationships. Key outcomes for the program will be persistence in KUH careers, the number of peer-reviewed publications, and submitted and awarded grants.