The long-term goal of the Duke Women's Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) career development program is to develop a cohort of highly skilled obstetrician/gynecologist (Ob-Gyn) researchers with expertise in research methodology reinforced by an understanding of the resources, skills, and tools needed to build a successful long-lasting career as Ob-Gyn clinician-investigators. We will leverage deep Institutional and Departmental expertise, infrastructure and commitment to research career development to: (1) identify and recruit Scholars from diverse backgrounds and provide individualized mentoring and career development support in an environment of team science, (2) train this cohort of researchers by fostering state-of-the-art multidisciplinary research emphasizing the importance of diverse and innovative scientific methods, and (3) provide the skills and resources needed to lead their own multidisciplinary teams, ultimately becoming mentors for a new generation of clinician-investigators who will strengthen the field of Ob-Gyn. To achieve these aims, we have assembled a group of experienced mentors across 6 areas of excellence aligned with departmental and institutional expertise and priorities: 1) Reproductive Infectious Disease and Immunology; 2) Gynecologic Cancer; 3) Peri-conceptional Wellness and Early Human Development; 4) Pregnancy and Perinatology; 5) Pelvic Floor Disorders and 6) Innovative Research Methods. Two Scholars will be supported at any one time, with Scholars spending 2-5 years in mentored research training with a specific focus on topics relevant to the clinical practice of Ob-Gyn and its subspecialties. The Duke WRHR program builds on two successful existing K12 programs that are directed by experienced leadership in our department to create a dynamic career development program specifically for Ob-Gyns dedicated to women's reproductive health. The associated well- established infrastructure and tested approach to career development includes: creation of individualized career development plans, intense hands-on research on specific defined research projects, selection of a complimentary mentoring team, didactic course work, seminars, workshops, peer scholar group meetings, training in responsible conduct of research, and executive coaching to refine leadership skills. Scholar progress will be closely monitored by the Program Director and Research Director, as well as an Advisory Committee. We have built in mechanisms for feedback from both internal and external stakeholders and a novel evaluation plan to help the program better understand the gains experienced by Scholars. At the completion of the program, Scholars will be expected to have published their WRHR research in peer-reviewed journals and obtained independent funding. By building on the outstanding ongoing research relevant to women's reproductive health at Duke, the comprehensive career development resources available, and the Ob-Gyn department's track record in leading career development programs, the Duke WRHR program will create the next generation of research leaders in women's reproductive health.
Conditions affecting women's reproductive health have a significant impact on quality-of-life, overall health, and life expectancy for both women and their children. Reducing this impact through improved prevention and treatment requires researchers with a fundamental understanding of the clinical impact of these conditions and the ability to apply rigorous, innovative methods to facilitate discovery and translation into effective interventions. The Duke Women's Reproductive Health Research training program combines cutting-edge research experiences with an innovative and proven career development framework to help develop the next generation of obstetrician-gynecologist clinician-scientists.
