UCLA LIFT-UP (Leveraging Institutional support For Talented, Underrepresented Physicians and/or Scientists)

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT UCLA LIFT-UP (Leveraging Institutional support For Talented, Underrepresented Physicians and/or Scientists), proposes to develop a research and mentoring program that will contribute to diversity in the scientific workforce pursuing research careers aligned with the NIDDK mission. Our leadership team has a strong record of accomplishment in supporting post-doctoral fellows and pre-tenured faculty from underrepresented groups (URG) obtain external research funding and progress to research independence. The proposed multi-PIs co-lead a similar, highly successful P30 Research Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) from NIA that has recruited, engaged, and supported 61 early-career URG researchers over the last 21 years, and both multi-PIs have a strong record of NIDDK funding over the last two decades. We will be able to leverage our research, clinical, policy, and program evaluation expertise in the area of diabetes care and prevention in identifying and/or developing talented URG researchers throughout Southern California. UCLA LIFT-UP builds on the scientific strengths in the UCLA CTSI, UCLA Department of Medicine, and the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. We propose three LIFT-UP Program Cores - an Administrative Core (AC), Research Mentorship Core (RMC), and Research Support Core (RSC). The RMC and the RSC will each be co-led by a basic scientist and a clinical outcomes/health services researcher, to enhance coordination of research mentorship and research support for investigators across the translational research spectrum. To accomplish these goals, the UCLA LIFT-UP overarching Specific Aims are to: 1. Provide the comprehensive guidance required to promote successful academic advancement of 14-17 early URG researchers through mentorship and pilot research awards in the areas of obesity and diabetes across the translational research spectrum; 2. Engage URG researchers in cutting-edge laboratory-based science that advances the mechanistic understanding of molecular and physiologic processes related to obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes, and related conditions; 3. Develop the research infrastructure needed to improve the health of patients with obesity and/or diabetes through the development, implementation, and evaluation of community and health system partnered interventions and policies designed to mitigate health disparities. The goal of LIFT-UP will be to mentor and develop highly skilled early career URG scientists whose passion and careers are devoted to preventing and treating obesity and diabetes, and working to achieve health equity in disease areas aligned with the mission of the NIDDK. We will accomplish this by aggressively identifying and recruiting the most talented URG candidates in Southern California and embedding them in the strongest, most comprehensive faculty development program possible.