Dear Colleagues,

This month's edition is packed with lots of useful information for the research community. We hope you scroll through it all to find what is pertinent to your research area. From funding opportunities to research support resources and events, there is something for everyone. Congratulations, as usual, to our career development award recipients!

All the best, 

Diane Havlir, MD, Associate Chair for Clinical Research

David Erle, MD, Associate Chair for Biomedical Research

Nancy Allen, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy and Sleep Medicine at UCSF Health, received a K08 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for a project entitled, "Role of stromal inflammatory signaling in the aging of lung resident lymphocytes."

Sophie Huddart, PhD, postdoctoral scholar in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care at ZSFG, received a K01 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute for a project entitled, "Identifying patients at risk of post-tuberculosis lung disease using novel cough and adherence predictors."

Arun Padmanabhan, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Cardiology at UCSF Health, received a K08 from the National, Heart and Blood Institute for a project entitled, "A BRD4-GATA4 module cooperatively regulates mitochondrial bioenergetic homeostasis in the adult heart."

Jessica Rubin, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at UCSF Health, received a K23 from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for a project entitled, “Using real-world evidence to define safe pain management strategies in cirrhosis.”

Vivek Rudrapatna, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at UCSF Health, received a K99 from the National Library of Medicine for a project entitled, "A data science framework for transforming electronic health records into real-world evidence."

Please let Ilona Paredes know if we inadvertently missed your K award, first R01 or equivalent award in this issue of the newsletter. We will make sure to feature your award in our next issue.

UCSF Eureka Build-a-thon 

Attend the first-ever Eureka Build-a-thon on October 27, 2023, from 3:30-4:30 pm at the Mission Bay campus. The winning team will receive one year of Eureka study maintenance.

Join us and vote for the winner of the Eureka Build-a-thon!

• See study teams present the studies they built on the Eureka Research Platform for clinical research.
• ‌Be a test participant in a live demonstration of the studies.
• Participate in crowd-sourced judging for your favorite study!

Attendees are invited to join a celebration of the success of the Build-a-thon study teams with refreshments in the Genentech Hall Atrium immediately following the event.

UCSF Pop-Up Faculty Club Lunch

The Institute for Human Genetics is pleased to host the next Pop-Up Faculty Club event scheduled for November 7, 2023 at 12 pm, in HSW-930 (513 Parnassus Ave. 9th Floor). The Pop-Up Faculty Club is a casual event where researchers across disciplines can get together to connect and socialize. RSVP by clicking here by November 3, 2023 at 12 pm. Capacity is limited to 30 due to the venue size. For questions, please contact Aubrey Carstenson. 

UCSF Parnassus Faculty Lunch Series

The Parnassus Faculty Lunch Series is a great opportunity for faculty members from all sites to hear updates about research in progress, and to collaborate with colleagues.

For your convenience, you can view the list of upcoming speakers by downloading and importing the iCalendar here. If you are not currently receiving announcements for this series from the Office of Research, and would like to, please email Research@ucsf.edu with your request to ensure you receive future notifications. Additionally, if you are a faculty member interested in presenting your ongoing research in this series, please contact David Erle.

See the upcoming schedule below:

·      10/23 - Bjoern Schwer

·      10/30 - Mark Anderson

·      11/06 - Alex Marson

·      11/13 - Diane Barber

·      11/20 - Saul Villeda

·      11/27 - TBA

·      12/04 - Ross Okimoto

·      12/11 - Andrew Yang

UCSF Promoting Research in Social Media and Health (PRISM) Symposium

Registration for the eighth annual Promoting Research in Social Media and Health (PRISM) Symposium is now open! PRISM, one of the few symposiums dedicated to social media and health research, will take place on December 7, 2023, in the Robertson Auditorium at the UCSF Mission Bay Conference Center.

Panel topics will include data access, generative AI, and corporate influences. PRISM provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for participants to meet, collaborate, and advance their work during this all-day event that fosters a collaborative learning community.

Submit your abstract by October 27, 2023, to present a poster. Corresponding authors will be notified on November 3. For more information, please visit prism.ucsf.edu.

UCSF Diversity Supplement Matchmaking Event

The fourth annual NIH Diversity Supplement Matchmaking Event will take place on January 26, 2024, from 9 am to 1 pm. The event will be virtual (by Zoom), and will provide an opportunity to have short, 10-minute interviews with trainees at the postbaccalaureate stage who are interested in pursuing a career in research and qualify for funding through the NIH Diversity Supplement mechanism. This NIH grant mechanism typically provides salary support for the trainee to work in your lab as a junior specialist for one to two years. You must have an eligible NIH grant to apply for the funds, and the applications are submitted directly to the NIH through the institute funding your grant.  

Please register by December 11, 2023. For questions about the event and applying for diversity supplements, see here and here for FAQs, or register for a faculty information session on November 8, 2023, from 3-3:30 pm.

Clinical Research Operations Bootcamp for Principal Investigators

The Clinical Trials Operations (CTO) Training team is pleased to announce the next Research Operations Bootcamp for Principal Investigators (PIs). The Research Operations Bootcamp is designed to provide PIs with training on research operations and the process of conducting research at UCSF. PIs are welcome to attend the modular sessions over the course of two days – November 2-3, 2023. Attending all sessions is not required.

Topics will include:

• Hiring and managing research staff
• Study start-up
• Research billing
• Recruitment
• IRB and safety reporting

Registration is open and available on the UC Learning Center at training.ucsf.edu. Please email CTO@ucsf.edu with any questions.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) 

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is recruiting faculty members to assist in the review of animal use protocols by providing crucial subject matter expertise. The Department of Medicine has a high volume of animal research, and IACUC requires additional expertise from within our department, especially from those with experience in rodent research. IACUC membership is an excellent way to fulfill the faculty requirement for University service, and completion of a three-year term at IACUC is considered evidence of exceptional service that merits a one-year acceleration. Faculty members interested in learning more about joining IACUC should contact David Erle by October 27. 

PRE-Proposal Application REview (PREPARE) Program

Need help with your grant preparation? Take advantage of receiving expert peer review and feedback for your R, K, and U proposals via the PREPARE program! Re-submissions are also welcome. To request a review, click here

Please email Ilona Paredes, with any questions.

UCSF Burroughs Wellcome Fund Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grant

Applications are due by October 26

The Fall 2023 application cycle for the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Climate Change and Human Health Seed Grant program is now open. The aim of the program is to stimulate the growth of new connections between thinkers working in largely disconnected fields who might together change the course of climate change’s impact on human health. Proposals must develop partnerships either between institutions or between departments that do not usually work together within a single institution. Grants of $2,500 to $50,000 will be awarded. Indirect costs may not be charged against BWF grants.

Please email Liz Catalano to announce your intention to apply. Follow application instructions in RFP, conferring with your Grants Officer as needed. Interested candidates should submit an online application through BWF’s Grant Application System by 12 pm, October 26, 2023.

UCSF Program for Breakthrough Biomedical Research

Applications are due by November 3

The Program for Breakthrough Biomedical Research (PBBR) invites proposals for funding in two award categories:

• New Frontier Research (NFR)
• Technologies, Methodologies & Cores (TMC)

PBBR seeks to stimulate and support highly innovative basic science research at UCSF. Both single-PI and multiple-PI applications are welcomed. PIs can receive up to $25,000 - $150,000 for one year for NFR, and up to $50,000 - $500,000 for one year in matching funds for TMC. 

To apply, please email the proposal documents as a single PDF to Linda Reilly, PBBR Program Manager. Proposals are due by 5 pm, November 3, 2023.

Reminder: EXTRAMURAL Build UP Trust Challenge!

Registration is due by November 14

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) launched the Build UP Trust Challenge to identify new and promising scalable strategies that increase research participation and the adoption of existing and new tools and approaches to detect, treat, and monitor diseases, conditions, and disorders by improving engagement with minority health populations and populations with health disparities.

The NIH Build UP Trust Challenge will award a total of up to $1.25 million. Eligible individuals, teams, and organizations must register by 2 pm, November 14, 2023, in order to participate. Complete the readiness tool to help determine your eligibility and fit for the Build UP Trust Challenge.

UCSF Center for the Rheumatic Diseases (CRD) Grant Program

Proposals are due by November 15

The Center for the Rheumatic Diseases Grant program announces a new round of funding for basic and translational studies that shed light on rheumatic disease by physician-scientist investigators in any UCSF program. Grants will be awarded in the amount of $50,000 per year for up to two years. The center seeks to support highly innovative research by junior investigators that can nucleate progress and facilitate the development of competitive applications for extramural funding. Collaboration is welcome.

Clinical fellows or junior faculty physician-scientists with an MD or MD-PhD degrees who devote at least 75% effort to basic research are eligible to apply. Awards can be made to both single-PI and multiple-PI projects. Early-stage or higher-risk projects that can subsequently garner extramural support are encouraged.

The proposal deadline is by 5 pm, November 15, 2023. Applications should follow the NIH instructions for font size, lines/inch, and margins. Please send your application materials to Ivy Leung.

For administrative queries, contact Ivy Leung, and for scientific queries, contact Julie Zikherman.

Reminder: EXTRAMURAL Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Gilliam Fellows Program

Applications are due by December 7

The Gilliam Fellows program is open to eligible pairs of graduate students and their faculty advisers who, together, embody scientific leadership, an important component of which is a commitment to building an equitable and inclusive science culture. The adviser-student pair must be studying scientific problems in biomedical sciences, life sciences, or biological questions in related disciplines.

The total amount awarded for the 2024 cohort will be $53,000 per year for up to three years. The grant will be paid to the institution, which in turn, will disburse funds to the adviser and fellow.

For questions, please contact Gilliam@hhmi.org.

SOM Bridge Funding Program

Applications are due by December 8

The Bridge Funding program provides up to 12 months of support for full-time faculty members, with independent research programs, who are experiencing a temporary loss of significant funding. 

The program is intended to support applicants who face a funding gap between two extramural research grants (usually R01 or equivalent). Typically, applicants have been unsuccessful in a recent attempt to renew or replace a federal grant but are likely to be funded upon submission of a revised application, based on scores and reviewers’ comments.

Applications are due by 5 pm, December 8, 2023. For questions, please contact SOMbridgefunding@ucsf.edu.

UCSF ARCHES Mid-Career Development Program for Research Faculty 

Applications are due by February 13

The third call for applications for the UCSF ARCHES Mid-Career Development Program for Research Faculty is now open. This unique program is intended to promote workforce equity and is open to applicants across all schools. This is a great opportunity to support outstanding mid-career mentors (see current and prior awardees here). 

During this review cycle, up to three faculty members will be selected for this two-year award. Historically excluded research faculty who are committed to working on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Applications are due via email to Claudine Catledge by 5 pm, February 13, 2024. For questions, please contact Claudine Catledge.

Reminder: EXTRAMURAL The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H)

Applications are due by March 14

The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is a new federal agency that supports team approaches for solving major health challenges. Rather than supporting research on specific diseases, ARPA-H will support high-risk, high-consequence programs designed to improve health for everyone.

To learn more about ARPA-H and how to apply to become a program manager or respond to a BAA, visit the UCSF Research Development Office ARPA-H website, which includes links to videos and slide decks with more information.

Copyright © 2023, University of California, San Francisco, All rights reserved.

Please send comments, suggestions and questions to:

Diane Havlir, MD, Associate Chair for Clinical Research (diane.havlir@ucsf.edu)

David Erle, MD, Associate Chair for Biomedical Research (david.erle@ucsf.edu)