Linear mentoring evolves into networks of scientists

Janet Rubin Margaret Gourlay Maria Escolar

Janet Rubin, MD

1. Research: Bone remodeling

2. Clinical: Metabolic bone disease and general endocrinology

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

transcription

Mesenchymal stem cell

Noggin, Nodal

BMP 2,4,7

Hedgehog

Wnt10b, 3a

BMPs

Hedgehog

Low

High

Wnt 10b

Smad 1,4TAZ

Smad 1,4Shn

Pax3,7Sim1,Lbx1,Myf5

Runx2, Osx

PPAR. CEBPa Myogenin, MyoD

Osteoblast Adipocyte Myocyte

Mentoring: Farming for the future

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

Mentoring: A case in point

• Direct: Margaret Gourlay

• Off-topic: Maria Escolar

Direct mentoring: Margaret

JR: Expertise in clinical bone

Basic biology insights

MG: Epidemiology training

Brought together via recruitment &

insight of UNC Roadmap program

Translating biological insight:•Important question•Niche for MG career

Off target mentoring: Maria

JR: Expertise in grant writing

ME: Turning great ideas into a viable RO1

Brought together via UNC mentoring initiative

Grant review

Need for clinical research expertise

Bring on MG

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

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

Training and other preparation

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.

Research on osteoporosis screening0.

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tivity

0.00 0.25 0.50 0.75 1.001-Specificity

ostopp ROC area: 0.768 orai ROC area: 0.7504

score ROC area: 0.7571 Reference

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

Osteoporosis screening and Krabbe Disease?

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

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

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.

UCBT

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48

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72

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Calendar Age (months)

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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

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

The NFRD

• Where is the funding?

• Multidisciplinary team

• Clinical service

• No time for research

Krabbe Disease

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

Mentor # 3

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 # 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!

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

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”.

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

R01 Funded!