Scholar Program
The national two-year Scholar Program, led by Jeanne Mandelblatt, will identify and enroll Scholars at the bridges to the doctorate/pre-doctoral level through early-stage and senior scientists (the latter looking to shift career focus) at our hubs and liaison sites. Scholars will be matched with two I-REACH mentors who will advise them during the Program.
Scholars will:
- Undergo CIMER training to maximize the impact of mentorship and will complete I-REACH’s unique foundational curriculum on aging, disparities and cancer.
- Participate from their home institution and be supported by all of the I-REACH Core resources (e.g., Data and Stakeholder Cores) and a collaborative I-REACH-and-home institution mentoring team. As an example of I-REACH support, the Stakeholder Core will participate in idea labs to provide stakeholder perspectives early in the research and facilitate connection with groups for recruitment.
- Participate in Idea Labs, peer-to-peer writing groups, and mock study sessions and will attend and co-lead monthly I-REACH meetings.
- Design a research project and will be given preference when submitting their proposals for consideration in the I-REACH Pilot Program, which will support collaborative work.
Interested applicants will complete an application form and submit a CV and a 1-2 page statement highlighting career goals, how I-REACH could support those goals, gaps in home institution expertise or support, and a letter from a home institution mentor. Core leads will assist applicants in identifying home mentors if needed.
Scholar selection will be through a competitive review by MPIs and the Early Stage Investigator Committee. We will adapt NIH Career Award criteria to rank applicants (e.g., commitment to academic careers in our areas and how the Program will provide resources not otherwise available). Scholars will commit to participating over two years to minimize burden; integration with the home institution programs will facilitate this goal.
Applications can be submitted through the I-REACH Scholar Application form.
Please fill out the Career Development Inquiry Form with any questions or concerns about the Scholar Program.
Cancer and Aging, Geriatrics, Survivorship, Policy, Cancer Disparities. Dr. Mandelblatt’s research focuses on heterogeneity in life course aging and the effects of cancer and its treatments on clinically important survivorship outcomes, including functional, cognitive, and physical aging and development of frailty.
