As a leading pediatric research institute, we support our investigators through resources such as our Research Career Studio* seminar series, scientific peer review process, and internal funding grants and awards that provide the building blocks for successful careers. The Early-Career Child Health Scientist Forum series uniquely aims to support early-stage researchers at Manne Research Institute. It is a collaborative effort between Todd Florin, MD, MSCE, Scientific Director for Research Development and Associate Division Head for Academic Affairs and Research, Emergency Medicine, and Lucia De Almeida, PhD, Research Scientist Navigator. The Early-Career Child Health Scientist Forum series brings together peers to create a vital community and introduces early-career scientists to the administrative processes and the resources that can support their success.
The forum series gives early-career researchers space to share their experiences, ideas, and advice with each other. In addition to this valuable peer mentorship opportunity, the participants meet with more seasoned researchers to explore what Todd calls the “intangibles of doing science well”—everything from crafting a biosketch that will be successful with a grant panel to building and leading a research team and managing a budget. A final component of the forum series integrates experts from various research administration teams into the conversations. For this, Lucia tailors information about our administrative resources and support services specifically for early-career researchers, helping them maximize the execution of their ideas. Additionally, while the forum series presents guidance to navigate the NIH K award process—a critical bridge in career development for early-career researchers—it is not exclusively a so-called “K club” program. Todd and Lucia recognize that some investigators do not pursue K awards; they intentionally designed the forum series to include these researchers and ensure that diverse resources are presented no matter the pathway researchers take as they transition to independent scientists.
To better understand the value of the Early-Career Child Health Scientist Forum series, I want to share a perspective from one of the participants. An attendee of several sessions, Kyle MacQuarrie, MD, PhD, Attending Physician in Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplantation, is impressed with the programming and the range of useful topics presented. Equally, he enjoys the connections he has made with other researchers in a similar place career-wise, as well as the opportunity to share success stories and strategies for overcoming challenges. “The needs of scientists earlier in their career trajectory aren’t the same as the needs of those who are mid- or senior-career. The forum is valuable both for hearing how others in the same situation as I am in have overcome issues, and for providing that element of camaraderie.”
Todd and Lucia are excited to continue their collaboration on the forum series. Please contact them if you are interested in learning more about future topics and guest presenters or would like to attend a future meeting. You can access past Early-Career Child Health Scientist Forums on the Research Resource Hub*.
- Patrick Seed, MD, PhD, FIDSA
*Links accessible to Lurie Children's employees.
