Dr. Esam El-Fakahany discusses research with a former Scholar at a past Poster Session
Dr. Esam El-Fakahany discusses research with a former Scholar at a past Poster Session

Junior faculty training programs welcome new Scholars for 2021

CTSI’s Research Education, Training, and Career Development Core (CTSI-Ed) welcomed seven Scholars to two junior faculty training programs in Spring 2021.

The Scholars represent a range of UMN health science departments and the Minneapolis VA, and will participate in a two-year, mentored, funded training experience.

2021 K-R01 Scholars

The K-R01 Transition to Independence Program is available to Assistant Professors and early Associate Professors conducting clinical or translational research and aims to place investigators further on the path to be competitive for R01 awards.

Jose Debes, MD, MS 
Department of Medicine
Mentors: David Boulware, Joseph Koopmeiners
Project Title: Detection of viral hepatitis-related liver cancer by immune profiling

Sarah Hoffman, PhD, MPH, MSN, RN
School of Nursing
Mentors: Jayne Fulkerson, John Connett, Abigail Gewirtz
Project title: A family mindfulness intervention for war-affected families: Feasibility of a CBPR approach and the contextual adaptation of an evidence-based intervention addressing intergenerational trauma

Elizabeth Rogers, MD, MAS
Department of Medicine and Pediatrics
Mentors: Anne Joseph, John Connett, David Eton
Project Title: Treatment Burden, Engagement in Care, and Glycemic Control in Low-Income Patients with Diabetes

Chetan Shenoy, MBBS, MS
Department of Medicine
Mentors: Russell Luepker, John Connett
Project Title: Integrative Phenotyping for Risk Stratification in Cardiac Sarcoidosis

Ferenc Toth, DVM, PhD, DACVS
College of Veterinary Medicine
Mentors: Cathy Carlson, Aaron Rendahl, Brenda Ogle
Project Title: Facilitated Repair of Focal Cartilage Defects Using 3D Bioprinted Scaffolds Seeded with Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Chondrocytes

2021 Pre-K Scholars

The Pre-K Discovery Scholars Program aims to place URM, underrepresented in health-related sciences junior faculty on the path to be competitive for NIH K awards.

Selma Carlson, MD, FACC
Minneapolis VA Medical Center/Department of Medicine
Mentors: Kristine Ensrud, John Connett
Project Title: Evaluation of Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing As A Rescue Strategy for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Non-response in Patients With Heart Failure: A randomized controlled pilot study

Nakita Natala, MD
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Mentors: Suma Jacob, Ann Brearley
Project Title: Designing a digital developmental screening package for Autism and Related
Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Ghana