DOM’s Annual K-Award Symposium for Junior Faculty

Of the nearly 300 faculty members in the Department of Medicine, approximately one-third are on investigative research tracks. The National Institute of Health’s Research Career Development Awards — known  as  “K awards” — provide crucial support for junior faculty members in the early stages of establishing independent research careers.

The Department of Medicine’s K-awardee mentoring program, launched by DOM Vice Chair for Research Eric Houpt, MD, hosts regular meetings of this cohort to provide support, guidance, and opportunities for networking. The second annual K-Award Symposium was held on Thursday, March 3, jointly sponsored by the Department of Medicine and the School of Medicine and open to faculty with K awards from throughout the Health System.

About 30 attended this year’s symposium, and three received special recognition for their work:

• Jennifer Charlton, MD (Pediatric Nephrology) — “Chronic Kidney Disease: Early Diagnosis by Contrast-Enhanced MRI”
• Michael Salerno, MD (Cardiovascular Medicine): “Quantitative Adenosine Stress CMR with Spiral Pulse Sequences”
• Tania Thomas, MD (Infectious Diseases): “Improving Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Tuberculosis in Tanzania: the un-MASC TB Study”

Dr. Houpt, who moderated the event, commented: “The symposium is an excellent opportunity to showcase the hard work and excellent progress of junior faculty who are starting their research careers and making their way to independence.”