Medical University of South Carolina Mentoring Program in Digestive and Liver Diseases

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Abstract – MUSC HARP Program Underrepresented in medicine (UIM) investigators are insufficiently represented among medical school faculty. The reasons for this underrepresentation are complex, and have been attributed to such factors as implicit bias, promotion disparities, lack of role models, and in particular, a lack of effective mentorship. As above, population differences in clinical outcomes are well established and expected to worsen; thus, a more diverse biomedical workforce is needed. The overall objective of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) contribution to the Helping to Accelerate Research Potential (HARP) Program in NIDDK related disease areas is to provide ready access to quality mentoring and training - thereby enabling outstanding research in NIDDK related disease areas. Our vision is to establish the HARP program as a sustainable resource for NIDDK related disease areas throughout the U.S. Through the HARP Program in Digestive and Liver Disease, we have hypothesized that a mentoring network for UIMs and persons with disabilities to supplement that which is present in the mentee's university will provide additional critical and valuable mentorship. Therefore, we propose to implement innovative and transformative researcher mentorship and training to ensure development and sustainability of the digestive and liver disease UIM workforce. We have proposed the 3 Specific Aims as follows: Aim 1 - to establish durable mentoring relationships and to effectively mentor a cadre of talented UIM early career scientists to become independently funded in NIDDK related research areas through an integrated and dynamic mentorship program. Aim 2 - Increase scholars' scientific knowledge, professional skills, motivation, and credentials to pursue independent careers in NIDDK-related research areas via a rigorous educational and didactic program. Aim 3 – to promote the long-term viability and success of the HARP Program in NIDDK related research areas through rigorous evaluation, ongoing improvement strategies, and mission alignment with other HARP mentors and centers. The MUSC HARP program will be supported not only by MUSC's CTSA, but also by its rich and experienced institutional training programs. In summary, through expansion of mentorship of UIM junior investigators and promotion of interdisciplinary exchange among mentors, Scholar's, and NIDDK leadership, the MUSC HARP Program will substantially augment thematic NIDDK related disease research on a national level. The founding efforts proposed here and in collaboration with the entire HARP group are expected to establish an effective, high quality, sustainable, and multidisciplinary career development program.