Washington University Career Development Program in Drug Abuse and Addiction

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Abstract Substance use disorder is multifactorial with genetic and environmental contributions and this illness is a leading cause of death worldwide. Approaches from single disciplines have done much to advance science, and methodological and technological advances have established the need for increasingly multidisciplinary approaches to address complex questions about substance use disorder. Bringing this potential of scientific discovery to advance the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder requires clinician scientists who can bridge the gaps between scientific discovery and clinical care. The goal of the K12 program is to train the next generation of clinician scientists to fill these gaps and undertake this important and exciting work. To accomplish this goal, we have established three aims: 1. Expand the workforce of clinician scientists in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder. We will fund two scholar faculty positions per year at Washington University School of Medicine. Using a scholar-centric approach, we will design a career development plan that will meet each scholar’s needs and interests. We will provide short-term and long-term mentorship through formal mentoring relationships with local and national faculty and advisors from multiple disciplines. New opportunities to aid the scholars include wellness and resilience support, career coaching, and guidance for work/life balance. We are committed to the training and retention of scholars from diverse backgrounds. 2. Continue to develop and enhance the K12 career development opportunities and continue robust evaluation and tracking of K12 scholars, faculty, mentors, curriculum, and training opportunities. We will enhance our current program by implementing online individual career development plans that can be monitored by scholars, mentors, and Program Directors. A Research Navigator will increase support of the scholars in managing and conducting their research projects. We will monitor and evaluate the scholars, mentors, faculty and training programs using surveys, interviews, and other metrics. 3. Establish a national network of NIDA K12 Program Directors and scholars. This national consortium will serve as an avenue of communication between Program Directors and scholars across all NIDA K12 programs, creating a community with common goals, with the intent to share resources, enhance networking, and foster the development of the next generation of researchers in substance use disorder. Successful completion of these aims will result in increased numbers of diverse, well-trained clinician scientists in the prevention and treatment of substance use disorder and its consequences.