DOMInvestigators for February: Federal Government Policy Changes, Cohort Spotlight, and ASCI Inductees

Dear Colleagues,

In this issue, we address the impact of federal government policy changes on DOM investigators. Please continue reading for a message from us below. In addition, this month's newsletter is packed with funding and resource opportunities. We also want to extend our congratulations to the newest members of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, Alison Huang and Tien Peng.

Diane Havlir, MD

Associate Chair for Clinical Research

David Erle, MD

Associate Chair for Biomedical Research

Message from the Associate Chairs for Research

We want to take a moment to acknowledge the effects of the Executive Orders and federal government policy changes impacting our research community that have unfolded over the past few weeks. The Department of Medicine, the School of Medicine, UCSF, the UC system, and the State of California remain strongly committed to our research mission and our mission to educate and train the next generation of research leaders. Examples of actions that have been taken so far include a campus commitment to cover salaries in the near term impacted by stop work orders and the California attorney general’s participation in legal actions that have led to restraining orders blocking implementation of proposed NIH funding limits. There are also new funding opportunities and free consultations to catalyze research on the health impacts of changes in federal policies and associated rapid IRB review. DOM leadership is aware that some researchers will be particularly impacted by federal policy changes and expects to work with these researchers to mitigate these impacts.

Along with DOM leadership, we are closely monitoring developments and actively collaborating with the school, campus, UC system, and national organizations to interpret these directives and advocate for our shared priorities. If you are contacted by a representative of a federal agency and asked to stop work or make changes to your funded project, please do not respond directly; contact CGAwardTeam@ucsf.edu so that the Office of Research leadership can discuss the next steps with you. This mechanism should also be used for other issues related to the recent Executive Orders (e.g., requests to grant reviewers to change the review process). If you have general questions about your research or wish to relay any information to the Office of Research, please email Research@ucsf.edu.

Given the rapidly evolving nature of this situation, we encourage you to stay informed through the following resources:

For the latest campus-level updates, visit the Office of Research website.
Join the upcoming town hall hosted by the Office of Research on Thursday, February 20 at 1:00 PM (Register here).

For those interested in learning more about the facilities and administration funds (F&A, also known as indirect costs), we recommend these resources. You may also consider opportunities for advocacy in support of research funding:

As we navigate these challenges together, we deeply appreciate your dedication to science and research. Your work is invaluable, and we remain confident that we will continue to advance our mission through collaboration and advocacy.

Best,

Diane and David

Newest Members of the ASCI

Congratulations to Alison Huang, MD, MPhil, MAS, professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine at UCSF Health, and Tien Peng, MD, associate professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine at UCSF Health, who were elected to the American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI).

Honors and Awards

Nominations for the Claire D. Brindis Award for Community Engagement & Service in Health Policy Research

Nominations are due Friday, February 21

The Claire D. Brindis Award for Community Engagement and Service in Health Policy Research is sponsored by the Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies at UCSF. This award recognizes UCSF faculty who are engaged in policy-focused research and advocacy which address social, health, ethnic, and racial disparities.

UCSF Associate or Full Professors are eligible for this award. Nomination letters should demonstrate that each nominee has made a significant and sustained impact in mitigating health disparities and improving community health and has engaged with communities and/or policy leaders.

Please address letters to the Brindis Award Selection Committee and email them to Joanne Spetz and Cat Calder. Submissions must be received by 12 PM PT on Friday, February 21, 2025.

DOM Research Support Program Spotlight:

Cohort Grant

This month, we highlight the Cohort Grant, an award administered by the Department of Medicine to DOM PIs who are looking to establish or expand a patient cohort for research purposes. Since 2013, nineteen investigators have received $100,000 each to build their cohorts. We caught up with Edward Hsiao, MD, PhD, professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism at UCSF Health and director of the UCSF Metabolic Bone Clinic, to learn how the award has impacted his research and career. Below is an excerpt from the interview and click here to read the full interview.

What would you like to say to faculty considering applying for the Cohort Grant?

The cohort grant mechanism is a very forward-looking vision by the DOM. These cohorts are an incredibly valuable resource for many investigators, especially new investigators seeking to build a novel direction. It also brings a lot of meaning to the patients who contribute to it. In addition, it positions UCSF and the DOM as leaders in translational research. If this is what motivates you —being able to link human specimens and data to further clinical and basic research —this cohort development mechanism is for you!!

Read the full interview here.

The Cohort Grant RFA is now open with an application deadline of April 30, 2025. UCSF faculty members with a primary appointment in the Department of Medicine at any site are eligible to apply. Special consideration will be given to new or junior investigators with mentors who have relevant experience in the design, creation, and/or maintenance of patient cohorts.

Please click below for more information on the criteria for review and the application process.

Career Development Resources

PRE-Proposal Application REview (PREPARE) Program

Ongoing

Get peer reviews for your proposal via the PREPARE program! You do not need to have a draft to request a review – just enter the study name and a brief description and we'll match you with experts who will provide feedback and guidance. Submit a request today!

For additional information, click here. To request a concept sheet, full proposal, or summary sheet review, click the button below.

February Writing and Focused Work Café

Tuesday, February 25

Do you miss writing or working in the company of others? Do you need some protected time to write that manuscript, draft a grant section, put a presentation together, or get caught up on reading, analyze data, or just want to build community around focused writing or working?

The UCSF CAPS Developmental Core will be hosting a Writing and Focused Work Café, and you are invited! The CAPS Writing Café is open to all researchers, regardless of their area of focus, and is not limited to those conducting research related to AIDS.

Who: Faculty, trainees, and staff from any university

What: Writing and focused work retreat

When: Tuesday, February 25, 9 AM-12 PM Pacific time

Where: Online (Zoom link will be provided to those who RSVP)

How: Please bring a work-related project you need to complete. We will briefly share what our goals are for this time and then follow the Pomodoro technique to keep us focused by working in intervals for a total of hours with short and small breaks in between. This is a great way to boost productivity while feeling connected to each other.

Please RSVP to Mireya Avila if you would like to attend or if you have questions. We ask that you only participate if you are able to stay for the entire duration.