FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JANUARY 2, 2006

Contact: Becky Ceraul rceraul@som.umaryland.edu 410-706-7590

Ellen Beth Levitt eblevitt@umm.edu 410-328-8919

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND FORMS MULTIDISCIPLINARY CLINICAL RESEARCH SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Goal is to recruit and foster the career development of promising junior researchers

The University of Maryland School of Medicine has been awarded a $13 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to recruit up to 20 junior faculty who show early promise in patient-oriented research. The award is part of the NIH's Roadmap Initiative, which seeks to more quickly bring research from the laboratory bench to the bedside.

The funds will be used to establish a Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Scholars Program to support the early career development of junior faculty in all types of patient-oriented research. The program draws on expertise throughout the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus and is a collaborative effort of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the School of Pharmacy, the School of Nursing and the Dental School, the University of Maryland Institute of Human Virology and The Institute for Genomic Research in Rockville, Maryland.

"Two years ago, the NIH announced the availability of funding for the recruitment of young investigators who showed promise in making a difference in the field of clinical research," says Alan R. Shuldiner, M.D., John L. Whitehurst Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and director of the new Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Scholars Program.

"We knew the University of Maryland, Baltimore had an advantage in applying for this award because of the research strength of our faculty and the robust training programs already in place on our diverse campus," he says.

The new program will provide salary support and funding for multidisciplinary patient-oriented research for each scholar, as well as support for program administration. Every scholar will also have the opportunity to pursue educational offerings leading to a Master's Degree in Clinical Research. The program curriculum includes courses on best practices in clinical research, research ethics and regulations, working in multidisciplinary teams and management and leadership skills. The goal is to prepare scientists from a broad range of disciplines, specialties and subspecialties for independent careers in patient-oriented research.

Potential candidates will have medical, dental, or pharmacy degrees, a Ph.D., or other health-related professional degrees and will be reviewed by the Multidisciplinary Advisory Committee (MAC) and evaluated based on their previous scientific research and their potential for future contributions. Once approved by the MAC and the NIH, the candidate will receive a faculty appointment in the School of Medicine, the Dental School, the School of Nursing or the School of Pharmacy.

"We hope to attract talented, focused young investigators who have a clear and proven interest in patient-oriented research," says Dr. Shuldiner. "These young scholars will be on the cusp of a successful research career and this program will provide the impetus for them to rise to the next level of research funding."

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This page was last updated on: September 8, 2006.