Our overall objective of this program is to develop talented early-career investigators in the Department of Pediatrics (Department) at Duke University School of Medicine (Duke SoM) to be independent physician-scientists, skilled in cutting-edge scientific methods of basic, translational, or clinical research, pursuing long-term academic careers investigating childhood diseases, and improving child health. We will utilize a multidisciplinary approach through rigorous mentored research experiences, contemporary coursework, and outstanding career development support through an innovative NICHD Child Health Research Career Development Award (CHRCDA) Program entitled Duke Center for Advancement of Child Health (CAtCH).

Our record of developing leaders in academic pediatrics is exceptional and includes prior CHRCDA scholars as well as other investigators who successfully transitioned to independence and became leaders in their pediatric subspecialties as well as mentors to the next generation of pediatrician-scientists. This program leverages the long-standing productive career development and mentoring strategies of the department and the previous successful CHRCDA Program, while incorporating key innovations, including the use of peer mentors to support scholar development; scholar access to a formal career coach; use of the established Duke Pediatric Research Scholars Program (DPRS), NIH R38 Programs, and designated research tracks for physician-scientist development to assure an internal pipeline of CAtCH scholar candidates; and an emphasis on enhancing diversity through immediate and long-term strategies. Support from Duke CAtCH, combined with the exceptional resources of the Duke SoM and the top-ranked Department of Pediatrics in the nation for NIH funding, will catapult the CAtCH scholars into physician-scientists and academic leaders nationally and globally.