The Impact of Mentoring Our Future Leaders: 12 Years of the Astct Clinical Research Training Course

Abstract

The ASTCT Clinical Research Training Course (CRTC) is designed to build physician capacity and retain trainees/junior faculty in academic cell therapy careers. Participation is on a competitive basis. Applicants submit a clinical study proposal, career plan, CV and mentor letter of support. Each year 10-12 scholars join ∼10 senior faculty including statistician(s) for 5 days of lectures, small group work developing their protocols, career guidance and mentoring. We reviewed the course to evaluate whether it was meeting its mission. Scholars were invited to participate in an online survey and submit their cv. Scholars were asked to rate the impact of the course on their career. Data was extracted from CVs to measure academic productivity. <b>Results:</b> 107/146 (73%) of the scholars responded: 54% female, 59% Caucasian, 57% trainees and 61% trained in adult hematology (Table1). Responses to questions regarding the impact of the course on career choice and professional development indicated a strong positive impact of the course on scholars (Table 2). Current employment, participation in scholarly activities and productivity of former scholars demonstrated engagement in clinical research (65% of scholars >25% FTE in research), research in cellular therapy (89%), peer review (75%), and other academic activities. While scholars from the earlier cohort (2007-2012) had numerically more grants and publications and more senior academic appointments than the early cohort (2013-18), both cohorts were active in all productivity areas (Table 3). Conclusion: The ASTCT CRTC has positively contributed to retention of trainees and junior faculty in academic cellular therapy careers. The ASTCT should continue to support the CRTC and consider a second course to expand the opportunity to a larger number of scholars.