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New CHCRA training program proposed Many people have heard a version of the saying, “We needed it yesterday.” Nothing could be truer when it comes to discovering viable and effective treatments for the most vulnerable patient population in the community—children. To get advanced treatments to the children who need it most, physicians and researchers are engaging the concept of translational research at the Darby Children’s Research Institute through a variety of means.   Most recently, Paul Darden, M.D., Pediatrics professor; Bernard Maria, M.D., neurologist and DCRI executive director; Carol Wagner, M.D., Pediatrics professor; and Inderjit Singh, Ph.D., Division of Development Neurogenetics director and DCRI scientific director, crafted a proposal for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) “to support the performance of research in children’s health by bridging advanced training with research independence.”   Dubbed the Child Health Research Career Development Award (CHCRA), the proposal allows pediatric sub-specialists who are within four years of completing their fellowship training to develop skills to succeed as independent pediatric scientists. The proposal creates a new training program at MUSC between the Department of Pediatrics and NIH, and housed within the DCRI.   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 the person’s time to be dedicated to research and research training.   MUSC’s CHCRA will consist of: intensive mentored research experiences; didactic material in responsible conduct of research, research methods, and basic research skills; regularly scheduled seminars and journal clubs; ongoing professional developmental activities, including writing of grants and papers; additional opportunities to participate in thematic or topical exchanges with other interdisciplinary research groups at MUSC; and a comprehensive evaluation plan utilizing formative and summative techniques, as well as mentor and peer-review of publications and grants.   Nineteen mentors identified for the program within the DCRI serve seven basic and clinical departments and include pediatrics, internal medicine, cell biology and anatomy, pharmacology, psychiatry, microbiology, immunology, and pharmaceutical sciences. With diverse research interests ranging from bone metabolism and cardiovascular developmental biology to developmental neuroscience and pediatric cancer biology, mentors and scholars also have access to core facilities in proteomics, bioengineering, and pharmaco-genomics. 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. With success of the program, three additional trainees will be admitted from various stages of training (first, second, and/or third year). This program will become the first basic science K12 program at MUSC and will pave the way for training future leading medical academicians, as well as creating excellence in patient care and pediatric research in the Children’s Hospital and in the DCRI.   For information about the program, contact Bernard at 792-7715, mariabl@musc.edu; Wagner at 792-8829, wagnercl@musc.edu; or visit http://musckids.com/news/newsletter/2007_04/letter2.html.     Friday, April 27, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.