For Trainees
Professional Development
Chicago KUH FORWARD is committed to advancing the professional skills of trainees necessary for a successful career in KUH research. We have created a professional development program that augments the cross-disciplinary mentorship and hands-on research experiences of our trainees and uses an active learner model that leverages both faculty-to-trainee and peer-to-peer interactions.
Professional Development Seminars
Conducted in small groups, these monthly seminars are trainee-led and optimize peer-to-peer interactions across all training levels. Seminars aim to increase trainees’ discipline-specific and interdisciplinary knowledge and expand their skills in various areas such as:
- Project, personnel, and resource management
- Written and oral science communication
- Grant writing
- Team science
- Technology innovation and entrepreneurship
- Mentor training for trainees
Individual Development Plan (IDP)
IDP is a powerful tool to assist trainees with their research, career and personal development. We use the IDP to identify trainees’ strengths and areas in need of further development and guide trainees toward program activities that will be most important for progressing toward their individualized plan.
Research in Progress
Research in Progress allows trainees to share what they are currently working on with the greater Chicago KUH FORWARD scientific community. Trainees share their current research and receive feedback from a cross-disciplinary audience. Additionally, Research in Progress helps trainees practice their scientific communication and acquire the necessary skills to present ongoing work and improve their speaking skills. Research in Progress talks are held virtually on the second Friday of every other month at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (alternates months with Interdisciplinary Journal Club).
Interdisciplinary Journal Club
Interdisciplinary Journal Club brings together KUH researchers of varying levels to discuss recently published literature to keep themselves abreast of new knowledge. Sessions are led by a pair of trainees who select and present the paper and gain experience critiquing and appraising research. The Interdisciplinary Journal Club takes place on the second Friday of every other month at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (alternates months with Research in Progress). The sessions are held virtually and are open to the Chicago KUH FORWARD research community.
Grant Writing Groups
Grant writing groups are tailored for our predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees applying to fellowships (e.g., NIH F31 or F32) and career development awards (e.g., NIH K Awards). One of the most complicated skills an early-stage scientist must develop is the ability to come up with and effectively present proposals to obtain funding for their research. Led by Rick McGee, PhD, Professor of Medical Education and Associate Dean for Professional Development at Northwestern University, these dedicated writing groups allow trainees to get real-time feedback to help refine their writing and master their writing skills more effectively.
Other Professional Development Resources
- Northwestern University Clinical & Translational Sciences Institute (NUCATS)
- Center for Clinical and Translational Science at the University of Illinois at Chicago (CCTS)
- Institute for Translational Medicine (ITM): The ITM is a partnership between the University of Chicago and Rush University in collaboration with Loyola University Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, Advocate Aurora Health, and NorthShore University HealthSystem.
- Postdoc Academy: The Postdoc Academy is an NIH-funded organization whose mission is to create a comprehensive and flexible professional development program targeting the needs of postdocs. comprehensive online and in-person program built on the National Postdoctoral Association core competencies to support skill development throughout postdoc training, from orientation to next career step.
- Team Science Training: Teamscience.net is an interactive, open suite of e-learning resources designed to foster learning and skill development in Team Science.
Networking Lunches for Peer Mentoring and Coaching
KUH trainees at similar career stages come together over informal lunches to explore, discuss and learn about career advancement strategies, internal and external networking, problem solving, balancing professional/personal roles, and leadership development.
These forums are facilitated by faculty trained in the coaching approach to mentoring that is centered on active listening, powerful questioning, creating awareness, and designing action. A specific emphasis will be placed on helping trainees to create support teams they can rely on for information, advice and perspective.
RCR, Rigor & Reproducibility, and Sex as a Biological Variable
Responsible Conduct of Research
NIH requires that all trainees receiving support from our TL1 training program must receive instruction in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR), NOT-OD-10-019. Chicago KUH FORWARD trainees should familiarize themselves with their institution’s RCR training programs to become RCR compliant within the first year of their appointment.
Rigor & Reproducibility Training
NIH developed four video modules with accompanying discussion materials that focus on integral components of reproducibility and rigor in the research endeavor, such as bias, blinding and exclusion criteria. These are not comprehensive training modules. They may serve as a foundation upon which to build further education, training and discussion.
Statistically Speaking Seminars provided by the Northwestern University Biostatistics Collaboration Center offer additional resources for training in rigor and reproducibility.
Watch the recording of IPHAM's past webinar, entitled The Epidemiology of Preventable Analytic Errors, delivered by Leah J. Welty, PhD; Director, Biostatistics Collaboration Center Professor; Department of Preventive Medicine - Biostatistics; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
NIH Training on Sex as a Biological Variable
NIH developed e-learning courses give users a thorough and up-to-date understanding of sex and gender influences on health and disease and NIH requirements on factoring sex as a biological variable into research designs.
Wellness
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Scholarly Impact
All scholars must cite the U2C and TL1 grants on any publications that result from research done while appointed as a trainee in the Chicago KUH FORWARD training program. Please use the following citation:
Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers U2CDK129917 and TL1DK132769. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.