Linear mentoring evolves into networks of scientists

1. Linear mentoring evolves into networks of scientists Janet Rubin Margaret Gourlay Maria Escolar

2. Janet Rubin, MD • Until 2006 • rose to Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipids at Emory University • Career Development path within the VA system • ?VA system as mentor • 2006 + UNC, Professor Medicine • Research: Bone remodeling • Clinical: Metabolic bone disease and general endocrinology

3. transcription

4. Mesenchymal stem cell BMPs Hedgehog Low High Wnt 10b Noggin, Nodal BMP 2,4,7 Hedgehog Wnt10b, 3a Pax3,7 Sim1,Lbx1,Myf5 Smad 1,4 TAZ Smad 1,4 Shn Runx2, Osx Myogenin, MyoD PPARg. CEBPa Osteoblast Adipocyte Myocyte

5. Mentoring: Farming for the future

6. Mentoring: general • Directed • Your mentee’s work directly benefits your career • Off-topic • Your contribution is • Altruistic • Improves your local environment • Improves your global environment

7. Mentoring: A case in point • Direct: Margaret Gourlay • Off-topic: Maria Escolar

8. Brought together via recruitment & insight of UNC Roadmap program • Translating biological insight: • Important question • Niche for MG career Direct mentoring: Margaret JR: Expertise in clinical bone Basic biology insights MG: Epidemiology training

9. Brought together via UNC mentoring initiative Grant review Need for clinical research expertise Bring on MG Off target mentoring: Maria JR: Expertise in grant writing ME: Turning great ideas into a viable RO1

10. Peer mentoring on an R01 application • Preparation • My training and research • An unlikely combination • Osteoporosis screening and Krabbe Disease? • Peer mentoring in grant preparation • Reasons for success • Lessons learned

11. Training and other preparation • Before 2002 • BS microbiology/English, University of Iowa • DVM, Iowa State University; 4-1/2 years of veterinary practice • MD, Rush Medical College • Family Medicine residency, UCSD; Medical Editing fellowship, Georgetown University • 2002-2004 Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, UNC • 2004-2007 UNC K30 Program • 2004-present, Assistant Professor, UNC Department of Family Medicine

12. Research on osteoporosis screening 2005-07, UNC Program in Translational Science: Osteoporosis screening in younger postmenopausal women, Rubin is mentor. 2007-12, NCRR K23 Career Development Award: Selective screening for osteoporosis in younger postmenopausal women, Rubin is co-mentor. Pending, NIAMS R03: FSH as a biomarker of bone strength in younger postmenopausal women, Rubin is key co-investigator.

13. Osteoporosis screening and Krabbe Disease? • Some topic overlap • Clinical research • Studies of diagnostic imaging tests • Diagnostic accuracy analysis • Important differences • Common vs. rare disease • Population health vs. approach to high-risk subgroups

14. Peer mentoring in grant preparation • What a peer could contribute • Knowledge of Maria’s past proposals (K30 and Translational Science Programs) • Writing and editing experience • Recent experience with two NIH submissions • Shared belief that Maria could finish grant on time • What didn’t matter • Medical specialty and research emphasis • No prior work on an R01

15. Peer mentoring in grant preparation • Reasons for success • Fascinating, clinically important topic • Outstanding preliminary studies • Highly motivated writing team • Challenges • Compressed time frame • Different work styles

16. Lessons learned • You can and should mentor at an early stage of your career. • Knowledge of cross-cutting disciplines (editing, epidemiology, biostatistics) can make you an “expert” at any stage. • For peer mentor, exhaustive knowledge of content area is less important than sound logic and enthusiasm.

17. UCBT

18. Mentor # 1 • Dr. Joanne Kurtzberg, Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation at Duke University Medical Center Contracts a small percentage of my clinical time Encourages clinical research Meets regularly with me I observe her grow as a leader in her field

19. Mentor # 2 • Dr. Mel Levine, Director for the Center of Development and Learning at UNC Provides space and initial resources Recognizes the importance of my work Challenges me to become independent

20. The NFRD • Where is the funding? • Multidisciplinary team • Clinical service • No time for research

21. Krabbe Disease

23. August 2006 – Newborn Screening for Krabbe Disease is implemented in New York State

24. Dr. Joseph Piven, Director of the Neurodevelopmental Research Center (NDRC) at UNC Common research interests Has experience with NIH grants Identifies key resources within UNC Serves as a role model Mentor # 3

26. Mentor # 4 • Dr. Eugene Orringer Provides funding to protect research time Identifies mentors at different levels Supports all aspects of my work (clinical, research, academic) Available when crisis strikes!

27. My first NIH grant – R01 DTI as a tool to identify babies with Krabbe Disease in need of urgent treatment In a prospective study of 100 babies with low GALC enzyme, determine if DTI can identify which newborns will develop infantile Krabbe Disease

28. Mentor # 5 • Dr. Janet Rubin “Don't despair.  IT"S ALL GOOD. No one can take away SIGNIFICANCE, NOVELTY and IMPACT away from you. You go girl”.

29. Mentor # 6 • Dr. Margaret Gourlay “Today I had to see patients until late, and work on some issues we had with the budget. I still need to send drafts of letters, look at the abstract, environment and data dissemination. Grrrrrr” Maria I can put in a few hours of work after 8:30 tonight.  Overall, you are in great shape. I will be on call on Friday night and in clinic on Saturday.  Although I might have to take a nap first, I can help you late Saturday PM.  On Sunday, you can do the page count on the full file so we know how close it is to 25 pp.  Then you can trim and refine.” Margaret

30. R01 Funded!