MARCH 2024

NEWSLETTER

The Center for Advanced Research Training & Innovation (CARTI) newsletter lists upcoming events, resources, services and funding opportunities for UMB research faculty and fellows. 

Upcoming CARTI Seminars:

• Diversifying your Funding Portfolio (Mar 5 @ 1pm; Zoom)
• Ethical Considerations in Determining Authorship (Mar 7 @ 9am; Zoom)
• NIH Administrative Supplements to Support Your Research (Mar 12 @ 9am; Zoom)
• Strategies for Engaging Community-Based Collaborations in Research (Mar 13 @ 1pm; Zoom)
• Developing Your Research Question, Hypothesis, and Specific Aims (Mar 14 @ 9am; Hybrid)
• Working Effectively with a Biostatistician (Mar 26 @ 9am; Zoom)
• Funding Seminar: Department of Defense, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (Apr 4 @ 9am; Zoom)
• International Research Support Services at UMB (Apr 17 @ 1pm; Zoom)
• NIH Basics: Understanding Grant Mechanisms, Funding Announcements, and using NIH RePORTER (Apr 25 @ 9am; Hybrid) 

To register for CARTI's events, click HERE.

Additional Events/Opportunities:

• UMD, College Park: NIH Career Development (K) Awards Panel Discussions (Mar 7 & Mar 11; Zoom)
• UMSON Research Seminar Series: The Standard Operating Procedure on SOPs (Mar 21 @ 12pm; Zoom) 
• UMB Graduate School: Applications are still being accepted for: 
• Master of Science in Epidemiology and Clinical Research – Clinical Research Track (Due May 15)
• Certificate Program in Clinical Research (Due May 15)

Research Funding Opportunities: 

• V Foundation (adult cancer research)
• American Cancer Society
• Whitehall Foundation (neurobiology research)
• March of Dimes (birth defect research)
• Gerber Foundation (pediatric research)

Diversifying Your Funding Portfolio

Tuesday, March 5

1:00 – 2:00pm

Zoom

A challenging and crucial aspect of leading a research lab or program is the need to fund your research/program. Given the current competitive funding rates, this responsibility can be even more challenging.  During this session, participants will hear from two academic research scientists who have learned how to finance their programs by applying for funding from diverse sources, including the NIH, foundations and corporate funding. This session will begin by helping faculty understand how to develop a budget for their research lab or program, and will then address how to diversify your sources of funding. This session will include tips for dealing successfully with some of the current challenges in funding.

Speakers: Satoru Otsuru, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, UMSOM and Mark Travassos, MD, MSc, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, UMSOM

Ethical Considerations in Determining Authorship

Thursday, March 7

9:00 – 10:00am

Zoom

Being published in a peer-reviewed journal is a crucial aspect of a researcher’s career and a common metric by which productivity is gauged. Thus, as a form of ‘currency’, disputes and conflicts of interest involving authorship frequently occur, requiring careful consideration of the scientific community standards by which individuals should be identified as an author. This session will discuss modern trends in authorship and ethical considerations when determining authorship.

Speaker: Adam Puche, PhD, Professor and Vice Chair, Department Anatomy & Neurobiology, UMSOM

NIH Administrative Supplements to Support Your Research 

Tuesday, March 12

9:00 – 10:00am

Zoom

Administrative supplements offered by the NIH are non-competing awards that provide additional funding to cover additional costs that are within the scope of a currently funded NIH grant. This session will discuss the requirements for submitting requests for administrative supplements, including equipment and diversity supplements, and how these supplements can support your research.

Speaker: Alexander Drohat, PhD, Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, UMSOM

Department of Defense, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP)

Thursday, April 4

9:00 –10:30am

Zoom

The Department of Defense, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) funds innovative and impactful biomedical research for service members, their families and the American Public. This seminar will introduce participants to the various types of research programs available through the CDMRP. Subjects will include how to identify the appropriate award mechanism, tips for applying, and insights into the review process.

Target audience: Faculty and Postdocs

To view a list of currently funded research programs, visit: https://cdmrp.health.mil/researchprograms 

Guest Speakers: Cecilia Dupecher, PhD, Program Manager, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, and Melissa R. Miller PhD, Program Manager, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command

Strategies for Engaging Community-Based Collaborations in Research

Wednesday, March 13

1:00 – 1:30pm

Zoom

Collaboration is key to implementing community engagement research. This session will cover strategies to increase community receptivity and acceptance when conducting a community-based research project. In addition, we will cover how to retool the research design and protocols to include culturally appropriate messaging that meets the needs of the population of interest.

Speaker: Doris Titus-Glover, PhD, MSN, Assistant Professor, Universities at Shady Grove, UMSON

Developing Your Research Question, Hypothesis,

and Specific Aims

Thursday, March 14

9:00 - 10:00am

Hybrid Session: Zoom & In-person

(HSRF3 Building, Room 1010, 670 W. Baltimore St (1st floor)

Explaining the fundamental idea of your research project on paper is essential for writing grants. The purpose of this seminar is to help faculty in composing and clearly describing their underlying research question, hypothesis, and specific aims. This session will include tips for developing your research question and how to progress to defining your hypothesis and specific aims.

Speaker: Marey Shriver, PhD, Executive Director for Faculty Development, Center for Advanced Research Training & Innovation (CARTI), UMSOM

NIH Basics: Understanding Grant Mechanisms, Funding Announcements, and using NIH RePORTER

Thursday, April 25

9:00 - 10:00am

Hybrid Session: Zoom & In-person

(HSRF3 Building, Room 1010, 670 W. Baltimore St (1st floor)

Understanding the NIH organizational structure, how to identify the right funding mechanism and announcement, and the grants review process is an essential first step before applying for NIH funding. This session will provide an overview of the NIH grants process, as well as, helpful resources for early stage faculty not familiar with NIH funding. This session will cover topics including: an overview of the different NIH funding mechanisms; identifying Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs); using NIH RePORTER; and the NIH system of Peer Review.

Speaker: Marey Shriver, PhD, Executive Director for Faculty Development, Center for Advanced Research Training & Innovation (CARTI), UMSOM

Working Effectively with a Biostatistician

Tuesday, March 26

9:00 – 10:00am

Zoom

The role of a statistician in quantitative biomedical research is fundamental. This seminar is intended to help investigators understand this role and establish an effective working relationship with a biostatistician. We will discuss how the statistician can help with the design and conduct of research, from refining the initial concept to the analysis and interpretation of study outcomes.

Get answers to some frequently asked questions: When to enlist the help of a statistician? Which aspects of developing a research proposal/grant/manuscript can a statistician help with? How to find a statistician? And how to pay for his/her services?

Speaker: Soren M. Bentzen, Ph.D., D.M.Sc., FBIR, FASTRO, Professor, Departments of Epidemiology and Public Health and Radiation Oncology; Director of the Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics; Director of the UMGCCC Biostatistics Shared Service; Director of the Biostatistics Core, Institute of Clinical and Translation Research at UMB

Information Session:

International Research Support Services at UMB

Wednesday, April 17

1:00 – 2:00pm

Zoom

The International Operations (IO) division serves the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) community as it engages in the international implementation of global education, research, and service. In partnership with the Center for Global Engagement (CGE), they provide comprehensive assistance through the Global Hub for personalized support of international activities conducted by UMB personnel. This session will provide an overview of the services available to UMB researchers including support for international travel, safety and security, procurement, finance, human resources, compliance, and other operational areas.

Speakers:  

• Danielle Hill, Senior Program Specialist, International Operations, UMB 
• Virginia Rowthorn, JD, LLM, Assistant Vice President, Global Engagement, UMB; Executive Director, Center for Global Engagement, UMB
• Anna Schowengerdt, Assistant Vice President, International Operations, UMB
• Herty Cortez Diaz, Director, International Risk Management, UMB

Scholarly Writing Accountability Group (SWAG) Program

Virtual Program to Help Faculty Increase Their Scholarly Writing Productivity

The Center for Advanced Research Training & Innovation (CARTI) provides a virtual peer accountability/support program designed to increase writing productivity among UMB early stage faculty called Scholarly Writing Accountability Group (SWAG). A description of our virtual SWAG program follows, including details on how to participate.

What is a VIRTUAL SWAG?

A virtual SWAG is an active peer-led writing group for UMB junior faculty that meets for 1-hour, once a week over a 10-week period using Microsoft Teams/Zoom. Groups follow a structured agenda including 15 minutes of updates and goal-setting followed by 30 minutes of individual writing and then 15 minutes of reporting and wrap-up. Each group is limited to 4-8 members who must commit to attending at least 8 out of the 10 weekly sessions. In a SWAG, there is no peer review of writing; SWAGs focus on the process of writing, not the content. The purpose of SWAG is to help junior faculty get in the habit of 1) writing in short blocks of time daily or almost every day and 2) identifying and prioritizing feasible writing goals.

Writing accountability groups are being used at multiple major medical schools. The data which have been reported on the results of this program are very favorable, reflecting marked increases in the quantity and quality of writing by junior faculty participants.

What are the Benefits of Joining a SWAG?

Faculty who join SWAG will:

• Develop new writing habits to achieve writing goals
• Improved time management skills
• Gain a greater sense of control over the writing process
•  Build a small community of support/social network

Registration

New SWAGs at UMB are being formed on a rolling basis. If you’re interested in participating, please submit the following REQUEST FORM.

Questions? Email Stacie Mendoza

CARTI'S Seminar Slides & Recordings

CARTI'S Individual Consultations

CARTI'S Funded Grant Library

The Center for Advanced Research Training & Innovation (CARTI) now has a funded grants library available to faculty who are preparing an NIH grant application. These samples were shared by UMSOM faculty who have funded NIH grant applications including, but not limited to the following mechanisms:

• Loan Repayment Program (LRP) Awards
• Career Development Awards (K): K01, K08, K23, K24
• NIH Research (R) Grants 
• Diversity Supplements

To gain access, contact Marey Shriver, PhD or Stacie Mendoza.

CARTI'S Mini LIbrary

University of Maryland, College Park

Research Development Office

Panel Discussions:

NIH Career Development (K) Awards

Thursday, March 7 @ 9:00am

Monday, March 11 @ 11:00am

Zoom

The UMD Research Development Office is hosting 2 virtual panel discussions focused on NIH Career Development (K) awards - one with a panel composed of reviewers of these applications, and one with faculty recipients. These sessions are designed to help interested faculty and fellows understand key considerations for K applications through hearing from faculty and fellows with first-hand experience as applicants or reviewers. See flyer for more details.

March 7 @ 9am: Views from Study Section; Register here 

March 11 @ 11am: What we wish we had known; Register here 

Email questions to Michelle Smith, CCRP, Proposal Development Manager, Research Development Office, Division of Research, University of Maryland

University of Maryland School of Nursing

Research Seminar Series

The Standard Operating Procedure on SOPs

Thursday, March 21

12:00 - 1:00pm

Zoom

Please join the UMSON for their monthly research seminar and the Baltimore SOCRA chapter as they host Aryn Knight, Associate Vice President, Clinical Research at Memorial Hermann Health System. Aryn will be discussing why we need standard operating procedures (SOPs) and how to create them.

Speaker: Aryn Knight, BS, CCRP, Associate Vice President, Clinical Research, Memorial

Hermann Health System

UMB Graduate School

Clinical Research Training

Applications are being accepted by the UMB Graduate School for the following:

·      Master of Science in Epidemiology and Clinical Research – Clinical Research Track

·      Certificate Program in Clinical Research

 Both are designed specifically to meet the needs of clinicians and scientists who want further education and training to develop a successful career as a clinical and translational investigator. Graduates will gain the ability to identify important clinical research questions, develop research protocols, generate pilot data, conduct clinical research, analyze and write the results in a publishable form and develop and submit grant proposals. Former students include faculty members (particularly those on or applying for career development awards), fellows, residents and medical and dental students.

Please see the details and application deadline for each below:

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CLINICAL RESEARCH – CLINICAL RESEARCH TRACK

• 30 credits
• Eligible for tuition remission
• Designed for clinicians and clinicians-in-training wanting to develop a successful clinical research career

Early Admission Deadline: March 1, 2024

Final Application Deadline: May 15, 2024

For more information, visit the WEBSITE

In particular, read the "Frequently asked questions" for each. 

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN CLINICAL RESEARCH

• 12 credits
• Eligible for tuition remission
• For clinicians and scientists who do not have time to do a full MS but need to gain skills not covered in their health profession or graduate education

Early Admission Deadline: March 1, 2024

Final Application Deadline: May 15, 2024

For more information, visit the WEBSITE

In particular, read the "Frequently asked questions" for each.

For an individual consultation on whether this training is appropriate for you, please contact Jennifer Albrecht, PhD at jalbrecht@som.umaryland.edu

Research Funding Opportunities

Seeking Foundation Funding for your Research?

The SOM’s Office of Development, Corporate and Foundation Relations, provides services and resources to assist UMSOM faculty with identifying private foundation funding for research, programs, educational initiative, and community outreach at the local, regional, and national level. Visit their website for more information and to schedule an appointment. 

Additional funding opportunities can be found at:

 UMSOM Internal Funding Opportunities & External Funding Databases

UMGCCC Funding Database

(Cancer related research)

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