Abstract 974: Fellowships in Research and Science Teaching (FIRST): Innovative postdoctoral training for aspiring academic scientists

Abstract

Abstract Fellowships in Research and Science Teaching (FIRST) is a successful, three-year postdoctoral program at Emory University that combines traditional postdoctoral research training with mentored teaching instruction. Supported by the Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA, K12) in the Division of Minority Opportunities in Research (MORE), FIRST encourages teaching experiences at minority serving institutions (MSIs) in the Atlanta University Center (Clark-Atlanta University, Morehouse College, and Spelman College). Fellows receive formalized instruction in pedagogy through a course entitled A Class within a Class, which provides training in innovative teaching techniques, use of technology in the classroom, course development and assessment, as well as peer-evaluation of lecture styles. Participation in the FIRST program creates a unique training experience that prepares fellows to become successful biomedical researchers as well as effective instructors. Despite having dual responsibilities during postdoctoral training, a study comparing 114 FIRST fellows to 500 traditional postdocs showed that FIRST fellows continue to publish in peer-reviewed journals at the same rate or above traditional postdoctoral fellows. In addition, FIRST fellows continue to pursue academic research careers and receive NIH grant funding. Along with the goals of the IRACDA programs, FIRST fellows have established research affiliations with Emory University and MSIs thus creating a collaborative network between research-intensive intuitions and under-represented minority liberal arts colleges. NIH/NIGMS IRACDA Grant 5K12GM000680 Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 974.