Clinical Translational Research Scholars Program

Diabetes, along with its spectrum of related and comorbid diseases, represents one of the most prevalent and devastating health problems in Michigan, across the US, and worldwide. The University of Michigan (UM) possesses an array of resources (including strong clinicians, world-leading basic research, and a small but strong clinical research footprint) with which to address the challenges posed by diabetes and related disorders. Addressing these challenges requires planning and coordination among the many existing UM diabetes-related programs, however. The Caswell Diabetes Institute serves to coordinate among and support the various diabetes-related programs across Michigan Medicine.

Developing and supporting infrastructure and otherwise facilitating clinical research related to diabetes represents a major focus for the Caswell Diabetes Institute, along with its partner centers: the Michigan Diabetes Research Center (MDRC), the Michigan Center for Diabetes Translational Research (MCDTR), and the Michigan Nutrition and Obesity Research Center (MNORC). The Caswell Diabetes Institute Clinical/Translational Research Scholars Program seeks to identify and support the most promising early-stage scholars focused on clinical research relevant to diabetes. The Caswell Diabetes Institute Clinical/Translational Research Scholars Program will provide up to 50% salary support for up to 3 years, protecting this time from clinical care duties to allow successful clinical research scholarly activities. The Caswell Diabetes Institute Clinical Research Scholars Program will also provide strong mentoring regarding research and career advancement.

UM-based early-career faculty members seeking to establish a career in clinical/translational research relevant to diabetes (including obesity, metabolism and the complications of diabetes). The candidate and the department/division must commit to protecting at least 50% of the awardee’s time toward scholarly activities relevant to clinical/translational research, requiring that any clinical care commitment be less than 50%. A letter of commitment/support from the applicant’s department chair (or division chief, as appropriate) must affirm this commitment to protecting time for scholarly activities.

Applicants should have at least a main clinical/translational research mentor and defined support (or a path toward support) for a clinical/translation research project or projects relevant to diabetes. The applicant and mentor must also clearly define how this award would lead to an independent career in diabetes-related clinical/translational research for the awardee.

Due February 1, 2021, 11:59 PM, via Competition Space

Applications will be reviewed by the Caswell Diabetes Institute Committee on Clinical Research, Mentoring and Development, Chaired by Dr. Rodica Pop-Busui.

Decisions communicated by April 1, 2021 for July 1, 2021 funding.

Awards support 50% of the salary of selected individuals for three years. We envision supporting one new scholar in 2021.

Awardees are required to submit brief annual reports detailing their career and research progress, including information regarding their publications and/or grant funding.

Dr. Ellsworth was selected as one of the first CTRSP scholars for her project "Impact of mother’s own milk compared to donor human milk on preterm infant metabolomics, growth, and metabolism."

Dr. Schmidt was selected as one of the first CTRSP scholars for his project "Probiotic Diabetic Foot Ulcer (Pro-DFU) Healing."

Dr. Kara Mizokami-Stout was selected as the 2020 Clinical Translational Research Scholars Program (CTRSP) awardee for her project "Continuous glucose monitoring and type 2 diabetes: utilization, outcomes, triumphs and challenges."