In the past 9 years, the UC Davis BIRCWH program has trained a sizeable, diverse cadre of interdisciplinary researchers in women's health and sex differences and heightened the visibility and standing of such research. We will build on this strong foundation to create a next-generation BIRCWH program to increase its innovation and impact. Our goal is to create an academically stimulating and nurturing environment for researchers in women's health and sex differences, to facilitate their career development and encourage paradigm-shifting, interdisciplinary collaboration and team science to advance research in women's health and sex disparities. Our short-term BIRCWH objectives are to: 1) provide in-depth, individualized training and team-based interdisciplinary mentoring to support the independent career development of Scholars in interdisciplinary women's health and sex differences research; and 2) advance and achieve high-impact women's health and sex/gender differences research by establishing cross-disciplinary collaborations with UC Davis schools that advance science and health. Our long-term objectives are to: 1) improve women's health by enhancing understanding of the unique aspects of female sex and gender and translating this knowledge to clinical practice; 2) develop transformative interdisciplinary team science for women's health and sex/ gender disparities research; and 3) train leaders in interdisciplinary women's health and sex differences research. To accomplish our objectives, BIRCWH Scholars will participate in: (1) team-based, interdisciplinary mentored research and career development activities; (2) core courses on study design, grant writing, biostatistics, communication, team science and responsible conduct of research; (3) supplemental courses tailored to each Scholars' needs and interests; (4) team-based interdisciplinary research; (5) integrated journal clubs; (6) monthly breakfast meetings with the PI and RD to discuss research and career progress; (7) a biannual symposium of Northern California BIRCWH programs; and (8) the School of Medicine (SOM) Mentoring Academy, for mentors and Scholars to be trained in skills to optimize mentoring experiences. Our program will leverage campus expertise in four research areas: neuroscience/pediatric neurodevelopment/ behavior; metabolic/inflammatory/nutrition-related syndromes; musculoskeletal diseases and aging disorders; and cancer. These areas will be addressed through our BIRCWH cross- cutting themes: (1) a lifespan approach to understanding normal development, illness/disease, and aging; (2) sex and gender determinants; (3) health disparities; and (4) interdisciplinary research. This program will fund 2 scholars, each for 5 years, and we have a funding commitment from the SOM to support an additional scholar. All BIRCWH scholars must be junior faculty within 6 years of their terminal degree. All selected scholars must engage in interdisciplinary women's health and/or sex/gender disparities, team science-based research and create an independent development plan for their pathway to independence.
In this competitive renewal of the UC Davis BIRCWH program, we propose to build on the experience and achievements of our previous nine years of the program to advance, promote and achieve interdisciplinary training and mentoring of team-based science for the next generation of researchers in women's health and sex differences. Our BIRCWH faculty, mentors and Scholars will work to improve the health of women and to improve our knowledge and understanding of the mechanisms and manifestations of sex differences in health and disease as well as of the unique afflictions women face with the ultimate goal of more effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
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