171 Ashley Ave.
Charleston, SC 29425
843-792-1414
800-424-MUSC
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April 2007
Letter From Our Chair
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L. Lyndon Key, MD
Professor and Chairman
Department of Pediatrics |
Dear faculty, Children's Hospital staff and other friends,
Recently, Drs. Paul Darden, Bernie Maria, Carol Wagner and Inderjit Singh crafted a proposal to the NIH "to support the performance
of research in children's health by bridging advanced training with research independence." This program allows pediatric sub-specialists
who are within four years of completing their fellowship training and who are admitted to the "Child Health Research Career Development
Award (CHCRA)" to develop skills to succeed as independent pediatric scientists. This new proposal will create a training program within
the Darby Children's Research Institute (DCRI). The program will be a joint venture with the NICHD and the Department of Pediatrics.
Starting this July, one faculty member will be chosen for a three year period to receive $75,000 in salary support for advanced research
training, and $25,000 for supplies and equipment as a CHCRA/DCRI scholar. This support is intended to allow 75 percent of their time in
research and research training.
If successful in developing this program, there will be three trainees (1st, 2nd, and/or 3rd year at various
stages of training). The DCRI has had in major increases in extramural funding related to children's health. Nineteen faculty mentors have
been identified within the institute from seven different basic and clinical departments, including pediatrics, internal medicine, cell biology
and anatomy, pharmacology, psychiatry, microbiology, immunology, and pharmaceutical sciences. These faculty researchers have a broad array of
interests in diverse areas: bone metabolism, cardiovascular developmental biology, nutrition/Vitamin D, developmental neuroscience, pediatric
pulmonary biology, pediatric cancer biology, and pediatric renal biology. In addition, scholars and their mentors have access to core facilities
in proteomics, bioengineering, and pharmacogenomics. The MUSC program will consist of: (1) intensive mentored research experiences; (2) didactic
material in responsible conduct of research, research methods, and basic research skills, (3) regularly scheduled seminars and journal clubs, (4)
ongoing professional developmental activities, including writing of grants and papers, and (5) a comprehensive evaluation plan utilizing formative
and summative techniques, as well as, mentor and peer-review of publications and grants. The Department of Pediatrics will fund the first trainee
for two years to establish the program with an ongoing commitment of at least $100,000 per year. If successful, this program will the first basic
science K12 program at the University and will pave the way for the training of future leading medical academicians, as well as creating excellence
in patient care and pediatric research in the Children's Hospital and in the DCRI.
Click here for answers to key questions about this new program.
Sincerely,
L. Lyndon Key, MD
Chair, Department of Pediatrics
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