DECEMBER 2023

NEWSLETTER

The Center for Advanced Research Training & Innovation (CARTI) newsletter lists upcoming events, resources, services and grant deadlines for UMB research faculty and fellows. 

Special Announcement! 

• CARTI's 2023 Scholars for “Clinical/Translational and Public Health Research Training Track Program” Announced!

Upcoming CARTI Seminars:

• Leading a Diverse and Inclusive Lab (Dec 6 @ 9am; Zoom)
• Science Communications Series (Part 2): Executive Panel Discussion on What Audiences Want (Dec 7 @ 12pm; Zoom)
• Developing Tables, Figures and Graphs for Your Research Paper (Dec 14 @ 9am; Zoom)
• Mock Study Section: Understanding the NIH Grant Application Review Process (Jan 18 @ 1pm; HSF 2 Auditorium)
• Writing Effective Titles and Abstracts (Jan 25 @ 9am; Zoom)
• Managing Up: Communicating with Your Boss (Jan 31@ 9am; Zoom)

To register for CARTI's events, click HERE.

Additional Events:

• Society of Clinical Research Associates: Building Study Team Skills to Enhance Clinical Research Participant Interactions (Dec 15 @ 12pm; Zoom)
• UMB Graduate School: Applications are now being accepted for: 
• Master of Science in Epidemiology and Clinical Research – Clinical Research Track 
• Certificate Program in Clinical Research

Research Funding Opportunities: 

• William T. Grant Foundation (Reducing Inequality)
• Klingenstein Philanthropies (Transformation of mental health care)
• Mcknight Foundation (Impact on the study of the brain)
• Whitehall Foundation  (Behavioral output or brain mechanisms of behavior)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH) (Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant)

UMSOM CARTI 2023 Scholars for the

“Clinical/Translational and Public Health Research Training Track Program” Announced!

The following 8 scholars were selected to participate in a 7-month training program that will consist of didactic instruction, experiential learning, grant writing training, and a capstone project. (Read the full announcement)

Chengyan Chu, DrMed

Research Associate, Department of Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, UMSOM

Brittany Drazich, PhD, RN

Assistant Professor, Organizational Systems and Adult Health, UMSON

J. David Gatz, MD

Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, UMSOM

Rebecca Schwartz, MD

Clinical Instructor, Department of Surgery, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, UMSOM

Lauren Leigh Smith, MD, MAS

Assistant Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, UMSOM

Dena Tran, MD

Fellow, Department of Pulmonary & Clinical Care Medicine, UMSOM

Edward Traver, MD

Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, IHV, UMSOM

Jiachen Zhuo, PhD

Associate Professor, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, UMSOM

Leading a Diverse and Inclusive Lab

Wednesday, December 6

9:00 – 10:00am

Zoom

Research teams composed of individuals from diverse backgrounds and life experiences have been shown to be more effective in scientific problem solving and driving discovery and innovation. Enhancing diversity in research teams and programs requires creating an inclusive environment where all members of a lab are supported and valued. During this session panelists will discuss the benefit of managing a lab with diverse members, and best practices for cultivating an inclusive, safe, and supportive environment where all trainees and peers can thrive.

Panelists:

Alexandros Poulopoulos, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology and UM-MIND, UMSOM

Luana Colloca, MD, PhD, MS

MPower Professor and Director, Placebo Beyond Opinions Center, Pain and Translational Symptom Science, UMSON

Melanie Bennett, PhD

Professor, Department of Psychiatry, UMSOM

Managing Up: Communicating with Your Boss

Wednesday, January 31

9:00 – 10:00am

Zoom

Managing a successful research program and advancing in your career requires working with and communicating effectively with your boss or bosses. This session will provide tips and strategies for developing a better working relationship, improving communication, and setting expectations with your boss. In addition, we will discuss best practices for providing feedback.

Speaker: Mary-Claire Roghmann, MD, MS, Associate Dean for Physician Scientist Training, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health and Medicine, UMSOM

Developing Tables, Figures and Graphs for Your Research Paper

Thursday, December 14

9:00 – 10:00am

Zoom

Tables, figures and graphs play a significant role in presenting and enhancing the writer’s message in a scientific paper. Deciding when and how to use these visual aids -- and developing the most appropriate -- can be challenging. This session will provide tips to consider when producing effective tables, figures and graphs.

Speaker: Jessica Brown, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, UMSOM

Writing Effective Titles and Abstracts

Thursday, January 25

9:00 – 10:00am

Zoom

Effective titles and abstracts are key components of a scientific paper, as these two parts of the paper are read most often and are also the basis for searches. This session focuses on how to write an interesting and informative title and abstract, including tips on writing style.  This session begins with a didactic session (20 minutes), followed by an examples-driven discussion (40 minutes).

Speaker: Marey Shriver, PhD, Executive Director for Faculty Development, Center for Advanced Research Training & Innovation (CARTI), UMSOM

Mock Study Section: Understanding the NIH Grant Application Review Process

Thursday, January 18

1:00 – 2:00pm

HSF2 Auditorium, HSF2 Building located at 20 Penn St (1st floor)

During this session, early career faculty who are preparing to submit an NIH R01 grant application will gain insight into how NIH research applications are scored and reviewed, including a “mock study section” discussion of a grant application. Panelists will also discuss common critiques that are made during a study section meeting, characteristics of a successful R01 application and strategies for identifying a study section.

 Panelists:

Dudley K. Strickland, PhD

Professor, Department of Surgery; Director, Center for Vascular & Inflammatory Diseases; UMSOM

Stefanie N. Vogel, PhD

Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UMSOM



Syed Saif Hasan, PhD

Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMSOM

Executive Panel Discussion on What Audiences Want

Thursday, December 7

12:00 - 1:00pm

Zoom

Tune in to learn what government, philanthropist, and foundation audiences are looking for in your research results and how to best approach those conversations.

Audrey Huang, MA, PhD, CARTI's Director of Science Communication and Science Editor, will moderate a panel discussion with three executives to tap their knowledge and expertise on what aspects of research storytelling are most successful.

Panelists:

Shawn Castellanos

National Executive of Emerging Strategies, American Heart Association

Heather Culp

Chief Philanthropy Officer, UMMC & UMSOM



Kevin Kelly, JD

Chief Government Affairs Officer and Vice President, UMB

Scholarly Writing Accountability Group (SWAG) Program

Virtual Program to Help Faculty Increase Their Scholarly Writing Productivity

The Center for Advanced Research Training & Innovation (CARTI) provides a virtual peer accountability/support program designed to increase writing productivity among UMB early stage faculty called Scholarly Writing Accountability Group (SWAG). A description of our virtual SWAG program follows, including details on how to participate.

What is a VIRTUAL SWAG?

A virtual SWAG is an active peer-led writing group for UMB junior faculty that meets for 1-hour, once a week over a 10-week period using Microsoft Teams. Groups follow a structured agenda including 15 minutes of updates and goal-setting followed by 30 minutes of individual writing and then 15 minutes of reporting and wrap-up. Each group is limited to 4-8 members who must commit to attending at least 8 out of the 10 weekly sessions. In a SWAG, there is no peer review of writing; SWAGs focus on the process of writing, not the content. The purpose of SWAG is to help junior faculty get in the habit of 1) writing in short blocks of time daily or almost every day and 2) identifying and prioritizing feasible writing goals.

Writing accountability groups are being used at multiple major medical schools. The data which have been reported on the results of this program are very favorable, reflecting marked increases in the quantity and quality of writing by junior faculty participants.

What are the Benefits of Joining a SWAG?

Faculty who join SWAG will:

• Develop new writing habits to achieve writing goals
• Improved time management skills
• Gain a greater sense of control over the writing process
•  Build a small community of support/social network

Registration

New SWAGs at UMB are being formed on a rolling basis. If you’re interested in participating, please submit the following REQUEST FORM.

Questions? Email Stacie Mendoza

CARTI'S Seminar Slides & Recordings

CARTI'S Individual Consultations

CARTI'S Funded Grant Library

The Center for Advanced Research Training & Innovation (CARTI) now has a funded grants library available to faculty who are preparing an NIH grant application. These samples were shared by UMSOM faculty who have funded NIH grant applications including, but not limited to the following mechanisms:

• Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Awards
• Career Development Awards (K): K01, K08, K23, K24
• NIH Research (R) Grants 
• Diversity Supplements

To gain access, contact Marey Shriver ([email protected]) or Stacie Mendoza ([email protected]). 

CARTI'S Mini LIbrary

The Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) 

Baltimore Chapter

The Society of Clinical Research Associates (SOCRA) is a non-profit, charitable and educational membership organization committed to providing education, certification, and networking opportunities to all persons involved in clinical research activities. 

The Baltimore Chapter's monthly meetings are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.  Below is the topic for the next meeting:

Duke Engagement, Recruitment, and Retention Curriculum: Building Study Team Skills to Enhance Clinical Research Participant Interactions

Friday, December 15

12:00 - 1:00pm

Zoom

Please join the Baltimore SOCRA Chapter for their December 2023 Meeting, where they will discuss Duke’s robust soft skill training program for research team members in the engagement, recruitment, enrollment, and retention space to enhance the participant experience in clinical research.

Presenters: 

• Jessica Cranfill, M.A., Manager, Education & Outreach, Duke Office of Clinical Research
• Jamie Roberts, M.P.H., Research Practice Manager, Duke Cancer Institute   

Learning Objectives:

• Outline components of the ER&R program at Duke
• Discuss program implementation and impact thus far
• Access the program’s implementation plan and repository of course materials

Credits Available: 1 CE credit for SOCRA members

Should you have any questions related to this event, please contact [email protected].

UMB Graduate School

Clinical Reseasrch Training

Applications are being accepted by the UMB Graduate School for the following:

·      Master of Science in Epidemiology and Clinical Research – Clinical Research Track

·      Certificate Program in Clinical Research

 Both are designed specifically to meet the needs of clinicians and scientists who want further education and training to develop a successful career as a clinical and translational investigator. Graduates will gain the ability to identify important clinical research questions, develop research protocols, generate pilot data, conduct clinical research, analyze and write the results in a publishable form and develop and submit grant proposals. Former students include faculty members (particularly those on or applying for career development awards), fellows, residents and medical and dental students.

Please see the details and application deadline for each below:

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CLINICAL RESEARCH – CLINICAL RESEARCH TRACK

• 30 credits
• Eligible for tuition remission
• Designed for clinicians and clinicians-in-training wanting to develop a successful clinical research career

Early Admission Deadline: March 1, 2024

Final Application Deadline: May 15, 2024

For more information, visit the WEBSITE

In particular, read the "Frequently asked questions" for each. 

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN CLINICAL RESEARCH

• 12 credits
• Eligible for tuition remission
• For clinicians and scientists who do not have time to do a full MS but need to gain skills not covered in their health profession or graduate education

Early Admission Deadline: March 1, 2024

Final Application Deadline: May 15, 2024

For more information, visit the WEBSITE

In particular, read the "Frequently asked questions" for each.

For an individual consultation on whether this training is appropriate for you, please contact Jennifer Albrecht, PhD at [email protected]

Research Funding Opportunities

Seeking Foundation Funding for your Research?

The SOM’s Office of Development, Corporate and Foundation Relations, provides services and resources to assist UMSOM faculty with identifying private foundation funding for research, programs, educational initiative, and community outreach at the local, regional, and national level. Visit their website for more information and to schedule an appointment. 

Additional funding opportunities can be found at:

 UMSOM Internal Funding Opportunities & External Funding Databases

UMGCCC Funding Database

(Cancer related research)

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