Development and implementation of a novel mentoring program for clinical and translational team scientists

Area of Science:

• Scientific research and development
• Team science initiatives
• Professional development in STEMM

Background:

• Mentoring is crucial for professional growth in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).
• The rise of team science necessitates mentoring focused on collaborative skills.
• Existing mentoring programs may not adequately address the unique demands of multi-disciplinary team science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a novel mentoring program designed to cultivate technical and interpersonal skills for team science.
• To enhance networking opportunities and collaboration within multi-disciplinary research teams.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a structured, multi-institutional mentoring program.

Main Methods:

• A nine-month program combining one-on-one mentoring, peer mentoring groups, and shared learning experiences.
• The program targeted faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and research scientists in STEMM.
• A multi-institutional approach was employed to broaden learning and collaboration.

Main Results:

• 95 participants completed the program, reporting positive experiences and high recommendation rates.
• Mentees demonstrated improvements in relational, technical, and networking skills.
• The program successfully facilitated new networking opportunities and fostered collaboration.

Conclusions:

• The described mentoring program effectively enhances skills essential for multi-disciplinary team science.
• The combination of traditional and peer mentoring, alongside a multi-institutional framework, proved beneficial.
• The program is well-received and recommended for advancing professional development in STEMM fields.