UNC seeks to establish a Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Career Development Program (MCRCDP)designed to train CR Scholars. The objectives of the MCRCDP are to recruit a cohort of fellows and junioracuity members drawn from at least four disciplines and then prepare them for careers in multidisciplinaryfinical research. Our curriculum includes a didactic component (formal courses, seminars, small groupactivities, workshops) that will provide CR Scholars with an understanding of and appreciation for: a) diverse linical research disciplines; b) methodological and analytic concepts necessary to design rigorous clinicalresearch; and c) underlying principles and concepts of bioethics related to the responsible conduct ofresearch. The curriculum also has a practicum experience that includes: a mentored research internshipYear 1); a mentored research project (Year 2): and an independent research project (Years 3-5) that leads to uture grant proposals. As envisioned, this MCRCDP will embrace the full spectrum of clinical research.Strengths of the UNC MCRCDP include: a) a comprehensive curriculum for clinical researchers that buildupon both our K30 and our RWJ Clinical Scholars Programs; b) an institutional commitment andadministrative structure that fosters collaboration across a wide variety of disciplines and units (e.g., SchoolsDepartments, NIH-funded Centers); c) mentors with large, well-funded bases of multidisciplinary clinicaresearch; d) strong public and private partnerships that will enhance the experience for CR Scholars; e) arecruitment plan to attract outstanding national candidates as well as local applicants from all five Schools onour Health Affairs Campus; f) mentoring strategies to ensure that each Scholar makes progress towardsresearch independence; and g) biostatistical and data management support from a shared research facility.UNC is uniquely positioned to host this MCRCDP. First, we have a long history of conducting clinical researchalong the traditional bench-to-bedside-to-practice continuum. Second, we have many multidisciplinary researchteams with remarkable synergies that enable UNC investigators to approach complex problems from widelvdiffering perspectives. Finally, our track record in the training of junior investigators is truly outstanding. Thusfunding of this MCRCDP,combined with a substantial institutional commitment for dedicated space andresourceswill enable UNC to train scientists who conduct researchconsistent with the Roadmap goal: 'to accelerate both thepace of discovery of new knowledge in the prevention, detection, and diagnosis of disease and the translation o these discoveries into applications that will improve the health of the nation.'
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