National Career Development Program for Researchers in Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology

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ABSTRACT The demand for pediatric clinical pharmacologists continues to grow, necessitating investment in career development programs to train the next generation of pediatric clinical pharmacologists. This new K12 application seeks to establish the “National Career Development Program for Researchers in Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology.” This program will combine faculty expertise, pediatric clinical pharmacology research programs, and clinical research resources from a nationally dispersed group of leading academic institutions. The goal for this national career development program is to enhance the existing training opportunities through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Pediatric Clinical and Developmental Pharmacology Training Network (PCDPTN). Program faculty are grouped into three areas of subject matter expertise: 1) Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics and Clinical Trials, 2) Pharmacoepidemiology and Data Science, and 3) Translational Research. The program faculty are selected based on their outstanding research accomplishments and track record mentoring junior investigators. In addition, the proposed career development program will leverage resources provided by the Pediatric Trials Network (PTN), the Maternal and Pediatric Precision in Therapeutics (MPRINT) Hub, and other NICHD-sponsored programs. The participating institutions have outstanding research environments and a reputation for successful mentorship of junior faculty pursuing academic careers in pediatric clinical pharmacology. Each scholar will complete a research project within one of the theme areas for the career development program, and they will be matched with a primary research mentor and a faculty mentoring committee. Scholars will be able to leverage faculty expertise across the participating institutions for research and mentoring. In addition to the research project, scholars will complete professional development opportunities, including training and mentorship in pediatric clinical pharmacology, written and oral communication, methods for enhancing research reproducibility, and research ethics. An Internal Advisory Board comprised of experts in pediatric clinical pharmacology will help with scholar selection, developing strategic partnerships, and advising on program enhancements. In addition, an External Advisory Board composed of experts in pediatric and maternal pharmacology and with extensive experience mentoring junior faculty will meet annually with scholars and the Executive Committee and provide advice on the structure and future directions for the program. The program will be evaluated by the External Advisory Board and through scholar and mentor evaluations. This career development program will enable scholars to generate the publication record, preliminary data, and skill set that is necessary to be competitive for independent research grants. Following completion of the program, all scholars will be exceptionally well-positioned to pursue impactful careers focused on promoting the safe and effective use of medications in children.