Patient oriented research and mentoring program in dermatologic diseases

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Abstract The overall goals of this K24 renewal application are to continue to provide Maryam Asgari MD, MPH with protected time to serve as a mentor to junior clinical investigators, and to support new scientific aims that will build upon Dr. Asgari's established work on patient-oriented research in skin diseases. Dr. Asgari is a nationally recognized dermatoepidemiologist and Mohs surgeon and the Director of the Patient-Oriented Research in the Epidemiology of Skin Diseases (PORES) unit at Harvard Medical School. She is the principal investigator of several large patient-oriented research studies, including two NIH-funded R01s examining genetic and environmental factors impacting the development of skin cancer. The parent K24 award has allowed Dr. Asgari the protected time to successfully mentor over 30 trainees ranging from medical students to junior faculty. This K24 renewal award would allow her to 1) continue mentoring junior investigators, particularly NIH K23 awardees, 2) pursue new research in cutaneous carcinogenesis with a renewed focus on epigenomic changes in carcinogenesis and the role of dietary supplements in keratinocyte carcinoma risk, and 3) establish a new research direction focused on shared decision making in skin cancer care. The research plan (Aim 1) builds on an ongoing NIAMS- and NCI-funded portfolio of projects led by Dr. Asgari. The proposed new aims will take advantage of existing data from these R01 awards and allow mentees the ability to use existing datasets to examine novel topics in keratinocyte carcinogenesis. This renewal will be an important catalyst for Dr. Asgari’s professional growth by enabling her to learn and conduct innovative patient-facing research involving shared decision making in keratinocyte carcinoma management. The mentoring plan (Aim 2) in this continuation period will allow for the implementation of a structured mentoring program tailored at the individual level to engage mentees using a formal individual development plan. Mentoring outcomes will be assessed using a validated tool for anonymous feedback from mentees, and mentoring skills will be refined by utilizing a mentoring coach. Dr. Asgari will continue her successful trajectory of providing direct mentorship to dermatology residents, research fellows, and junior faculty at her institution. Her plan for the next 5 years is to leverage her efforts for career development of patient-oriented researchers at the national level. This K24 renewal will be an important catalyst for Dr. Asgari’s professional growth by enabling her to conduct innovative research and mentor new investigators on performing patient-oriented dermatologic research. The mentoring and research activities in this plan will open new opportunities for a long-term professional trajectory that would not be attainable without a renewal period. By supporting Dr. Asgari’s efforts in mentoring, the award is an excellent investment in the junior investigators at her institution.