Program Requirements: Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases

Professional Effort

Selected scholars are expected to devote 75% of their full-time effort to the training and clinical research activities of the Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases. Scholars’ remaining effort may be devoted to other clinical or academic pursuits consistent with the award. NIH policy requires that the remainder of a scholar’s wages (the portion NOT paid by the program) must come from non-federal sources.

Mentorship

Scholars will have a mentoring team that consists of their primary research mentor, a career development mentor that consists of one of the program directors, a member of the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) core, and a near-peer mentor from another WashU graduate program.

For their primary research mentor, scholars will identify and select 3 -4 mentors and their respective research projects from an existing list of WashU pre-approved mentors. Leadership will match scholars and their primary research mentor based on research interests.

Mentor Selection & Required Training

All scholars will be required to identify a WashU mentor and conduct research on-site during the duration of the program. Prior to conducting research on campus, scholars will be required to complete the following:

1. CITI and HIPAA training online through WashU
2. IRB or IACUC approval (as required)
3. Environmental Health and Safety and Lab Safety training

Research Education Program

Scholars will:

1. Develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP) in consultation with their mentoring team. All IDPs should include:
   • Individual development goals for the next 1 – 3 years
   • Career objectives for each goal – for each objective, the scholar should indicate what individual products (publications, presentations, etc.) are expected
   • Research activities and projects that will assist the scholar in meeting the objectives
   • An overview of courses, workshops, and other educational/training activities that the scholar plans to pursue
   • A timeline should also be constructed to display the individual objectives, educational activities, research activities, and products
2. Participate in the Fundamentals of DEM Research Seminar Series
3. Complete an independent research program which results in at least one publication
4. Complete a medical and/or graduate school preparation program which culminates in an application and acceptance into a doctoral program

Grant Citations

Scholars are to acknowledge the receipt of grant support from the Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases in all publications, biosketches, and other support documents. Each program has unique requirements for citing grants.

Learn more about grant citation requirements >>

Annual Meeting

Each year a meeting of all Postbaccalaureate Research Education Programs in Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases programs is hosted. This meeting presents an exceptional opportunity to meet and interact with key clinical research leaders from the NIH, to hear and read about DEM research at other awarded institutions, to network with scholars and leaders from across the nation, and to form collaborative partnerships in DEM research. Scholars will be required to attend.

Program Evaluations

Scholars are expected to complete all required program evaluations. These evaluations are administered online and are mandatory for all scholars.

Applying to Graduate or Medical School

All second-year scholars will be required to meet with the Associate Dean of Graduate Education and Executive Director of the Medical Scientist Training Program to discuss methods used in student evaluation, crafting personal statements, and evaluating graduate programs. All scholars will prepare a doctoral program application. Those interested in pursuing an MD, PhD must apply to an MD-PhD granting medical school within two years of beginning the program.