Postdoctoral Research Articles

Mesoscale Brain Mapping: Bridging Scales and Modalities in Neuroimaging - A Symposium Review.

Advances in the spatiotemporal resolution and field-of-view of neuroimaging tools are driving mesoscale studies for translational neuroscience. On October 10, 2023, the Center for Mesoscale Mapping (CMM) at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Health Sciences Technology based Neuroimaging Training Program (NTP) hosted a symposium exploring the state-of-the-art in this rapidly growing area of research. "Mesoscale Brain Mapping: Bridging Scales and Modalities in Neuroimaging" brought together researchers who use a broad range of imaging techniques to study brain structure and function at the convergence of the microscopic and macroscopic scales. The day-long event centered on areas in which the CMM has established expertise, including the development of emerging technologies and their application to clinical translational needs and basic neuroscience questions. The in-person symposium welcomed more than 150 attendees, including 57 faculty members, 61 postdoctoral fellows, 35 students, and four industry professionals, who represented institutions at the local, regional, and international levels. The symposium also served the training goals of both the CMM and the NTP. The event content, organization, and format were planned collaboratively by the faculty and trainees. Many CMM faculty presented or participated in a panel discussion, thus contributing to the dissemination of both the technologies they have developed under the auspices of the CMM and the findings they have obtained using those technologies. NTP trainees who benefited from the symposium included those who helped to organize the symposium and/or presented posters and gave "flash" oral presentations. In addition to gaining experience from presenting their work, they had opportunities throughout the day to engage in one-on-one discussions with visiting scientists and other faculty, potentially opening the door to future collaborations. The symposium presentations provided a deep exploration of the many technological advances enabling progress in structural and functional mesoscale brain imaging. Finally, students worked closely with the presenting faculty to develop this report summarizing the content of the symposium and putting it in the broader context of the current state of the field to share with the scientific community. We note that the references cited here include conference abstracts corresponding to the symposium poster presentations.

The test-retest reliability of a Body Posture Literacy Questionnaire among Polish teachers from different educational levels

Background The study aimed to develop a reliable and valid Teachers’ Body Posture Literacy Questionnaire (TBPLQ) to examine their body posture knowledge. Methods The tool was based on a Parents Body Posture Literacy Questionnaire (PBPLQ) and modified and validated through discussion with experts, conducted in two rounds. Corrective gymnastics, physiotherapy, ergonomics, and physical education (PE) experts and doctoral and postdoctoral scholars evaluated content validity. Test-retest repeatability was tested using Cohen’s kappa coefficient. The study used a convenience sample of 195 teachers from three different educational levels: PE, kindergarten, and primary education in two rounds of test-retest (pilot test-retest reliability and main test-retest reliability of the questionnaire). The first round encompassed 95 participants, with pre-test and post-test procedures applied using the original TBPLQ. The second round involved 100 participants and followed a similar approach, incorporating modifications to the TBPLQ based on the reliability outcomes observed in the first round. Results The results of the first-round test-retest TBPLQ reliability, with 95 samples, resulted in an overall reliability of 0.77 (range 0.02 to 1). This indicated that the questionnaire still lacks sufficient reliability. Consequently, after the necessary amendments and modifications, the questionnaire’s reliability was tested for the second time with 100 samples. Notably, the overall reliability of 0.82 (ranging from 0.50 to 1) was established for the TBPLQ indicating that 87.5% of the questionnaire items achieved reliability scores within the substantial and almost perfect range and only 12.5% of the items attained moderate reliability scores. Conclusions The questionnaire is a new self-report measure for evaluating teachers’ literacy in postural health. It is applicable in both research and practical contexts, extending its use to larger and more diverse populations.

Abstract B124: Driving equity: Enhancing scientific workforce diversity through mentorship and grant writing workshops

Abstract A diverse scientific workforce fosters innovation, enhances global competitiveness, contributes to robust learning environments, improves the quality of research, advances the likelihood that historically underserved, or health disparity populations participate and benefit from health research, and enhances public trust. It isn’t merely their protected status that makes underrepresented minority scholars essential to a scientific workforce, but their culture, varying perspectives, creativity, and individual enterprise to address complex scientific problems. The Stephenson Cancer Center at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, in collaboration with the Oklahoma Center for Mentoring Excellence, has implemented a grant- writing-focused mentorship program, D.R.I.V.E. (Developing Research Initiatives through Versatile Oncology Exploration). This program is tailored to underrepresented scholars who are predoctoral, postdoctoral fellows, or early-stage investigators. Developed in response to the growing need for underrepresented minorities in cancer research, the program aims to provide participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the grant writing process. The primary objectives of the D.R.I.V.E. program is to 1) discover and promote talented underrepresented scholars and researchers in the fields of cancer and cancer health disparities research, 2) establish an early career investigator mentorship program with a strong emphasis on grant writing, and 3) utilize Training Navigators (TNs) to oversee and monitor the advancement and productivity of recently identified prospective pipeline scholars. The program serves ten mentees by providing a workshop series of interactive sessions, including discussions and lectures led by a professional with extensive experience in securing research funding, practical exercises, and collaborative activities. Each participant will have a grant application ready for submission by the end of the program. Participants also receive support through pairing with one of five faculty mentors (grant-funded oncology researchers) while utilizing Training Navigators to oversee and monitor the advancement and productivity of the pipeline scholars. A post-program survey was sent to all D.R.I.V.E participants (n = 10) as an effort to evaluate the program’s effectiveness. Initial results indicate significant improvements in participants' confidence and skills in the grant writing process. Of those who completed the post-program survey (n = 7), everyone (100%) indicated that the DRIVE program exceeded their expectations, and everyone (100%) found the DRIVE mentors to be highly helpful in providing guidance and support. While only 71% of participants deemed the Training Navigator to be beneficial, 85% recognized clear opportunities for future collaboration. In conclusion, the D.R.I.V.E. program offers a comprehensive and engaging approach to professional development in the field of cancer research. Future iterations of the program will explore expanded content to further enhance learning outcomes. Citation Format: J'Lecia G. Jones, Natasha Mickel. Driving equity: Enhancing scientific workforce diversity through mentorship and grant writing workshops [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B124.

Abstract B121: Enhancing opportunities for underrepresented minorities conducting cancer and cancer health disparities research nationwide: The Transformative Educational Advancement and Mentoring (TEAM) network

Abstract Background: The Transformative Educational Advancement and Mentoring (TEAM) network is a program funded by the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (CRCHD) of the National Cancer Institute (NCI). In support of the NCI’s goal to reduce cancer health disparities, the CRCHD drives workforce diversity efforts by supporting trainees from backgrounds underrepresented (UR) in cancer biomedical and behavioral sciences research. The two TEAM programs launched at minority-serving institutions (MSIs) in 2023: The Southwest TEAM (STEAM) network and San Diego State University’s (SDSU) Advancing Cancer Careers for ExceLlence (ACCEL). Each program has a unique model designed to best serve trainees in their respective regions, but both provide: 1) Diverse Training Champions (TCs), role models and navigators who act as the primary point of contact for scholars, provide direct services to trainees, ascertain member needs, develop programmatic offerings, and connect trainees to program components; 2) a mentorship program for pre and postdoctoral scholars and early stage investigators (ESIs); 3) targeted recruitment and professional development of UR scholars; and 4) tailored linkages to professional development and employment opportunities, and NCI/CRCHD funding priorities. This work summarizes the strategies planned across both programs to promote recruitment and retention of investigators from UR backgrounds and cultivate professional development opportunities for students and ESIs. Approach: The STEAM network includes the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, Northern Arizona University, and Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine and leverages the unique programs and expertise of these MSIs to collectively train diverse cancer health disparities researchers with interests in serving Native American, Hispanic and rural communities in the Southwestern United States. The ACCEL Program supports excellence, inclusion and transformation of the cancer research science force, expanding and strengthening the pipeline of UR scholars pursuing cancer research. SDSU, a Carnegie Foundation high activity research institution is one of few institutions to be both a Title Ill/Title V eligible institution for diversity. ACCEL works in close collaboration with the University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center. We will discuss opportunities and approaches employed by each program in support of scholars to increase the number of diverse scholars in these research pipelines and demonstrate the effectiveness of such coordinated efforts. Conclusion: Supporting TCs to focus on scholars within regional programs will prove to be an efficient and effective way to increase recruitment and retention of diverse investigators in NCI research and community programs. Using novel strategies like TCs, the programs will support the attainment of career goals and enhance and diversify workforce capacity across the cancer research and care continuum. Citation Format: Dolores D. Guest, Martha M. Grimes, Andrew L. Sussman, Elizabeth Y. Jimenez, Graciela Unguez, Ahmed Mohammed, Naomi Lee, Jani Ingram, Krystal Charley, Kristin Gosselink, Jill Nery, Avesta Basraki, Natalie Gude, Rebecca Lewison. Enhancing opportunities for underrepresented minorities conducting cancer and cancer health disparities research nationwide: The Transformative Educational Advancement and Mentoring (TEAM) network [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B121.

Women's Mental Health (WMH) Post-doctoral Fellowship Program: A Potential to Increase Trained Human Resources in WMH in India.

Women's Mental Health (WMH) Post-doctoral Fellowship Program: A Potential to Increase Trained Human Resources in WMH in India.

Abstract B130: Partnership in persistent poverty neighborhoods: The Acres Homes Cancer Prevention Collaboration

Abstract Introduction: Rising obesity rates significantly contribute to increases in many types of cancer. The link between obesity, socioeconomic status, and cancer risk is evident, particularly in persistent poverty areas. The Acres Homes Cancer Prevention Collaboration (Acres Homes CPC), part of the Persistent Poverty Initiative (PPI) of the National Cancer Institute, is a dynamic partnership led by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. This community-academic partnership, centered on the Acres Homes neighborhood in Houston, TX, that is impacted by persistent poverty, utilizes community-engaged strategies and transdisciplinary research to mitigate obesity-related cancer risks. Methods: Through multiple community partnerships, the CPC aims to alleviate persistent poverty effects, support early-career researchers, and test nutrition and physical activity interventions for reducing obesity-related cancer risk. Results: The Acres Homes CPC funds two research projects: a trial of a physical activity program for cancer survivors and a cluster-randomized trial of food distribution and nutrition education for elementary school children and their parents. We have funded seven pilot studies on topics such as food security, culinary medicine, physical activity and mild cognitive impairment, and the physical and safety environment of neighborhoods. Three community advisors guide and support all activities, and information on the initiative is provided monthly to a community steering committee. The Acres Homes CPC also supports pre- and postdoctoral fellows interested in research promoting cancer prevention and control in persistent poverty communities. Conclusions: This initiative aims to reduce cancer risk and improve cancer outcomes in persistent poverty communities by bridging the gap between research and practical implementation through community-based participatory research and partnership with the community to address obesity. Citation Format: Karen Basen-Engquist, Ruth Rechis, Michael Mackert, Brad Love, Shreela Sharma, Sanjay Shete, Qian Lu, Shine Chang, Margaret Raber, Miranda Baum, Crystal Roberson, Lorna McNeill. Partnership in persistent poverty neighborhoods: The Acres Homes Cancer Prevention Collaboration [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B130.

An Efficient Node Selection Policy for Monte Carlo Tree Search with Neural Networks

Monte Carlo tree search (MCTS) has been gaining increasing popularity, and the success of AlphaGo has prompted a new trend of incorporating a value network and a policy network constructed with neural networks into MCTS, namely, NN-MCTS. In this work, motivated by the shortcomings of the widely used upper confidence bounds applied to trees (UCT) policy, we formulate the node selection problem in NN-MCTS as a multistage ranking and selection (R&S) problem and propose a node selection policy that efficiently allocates a limited search budget to maximize the probability of correctly selecting the best action at the root state. The value and policy networks in NN-MCTS further improve the performance of the proposed node selection policy by providing prior knowledge and guiding the selection of the final action, respectively. Numerical experiments on two board games and an OpenAI task demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms the UCT policy used in AlphaGo Zero and MuZero, implying the potential of constructing node selection policies in NN-MCTS with R&S procedures. History: Accepted by Bruno Tuffin, Area Editor for Simulation. Funding: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants 72325007, 72250065, and 72022001], and a PKU-Boya Postdoctoral Fellowship 2406396158. Supplemental Material: The software that supports the findings of this study is available within the paper and its Supplemental Information ( https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/suppl/10.1287/ijoc.2023.0307 ) as well as from the IJOC GitHub software repository ( https://github.com/INFORMSJoC/2023.0307 ). The complete IJOC Software and Data Repository is available at https://informsjoc.github.io/ .

13 Awardee Talk: Goals, methods, and philosophy of graduate mentoring in reproductive physiology

Abstract Successful graduate and postdoctoral training programs in reproductive physiology are reciprocal relationships that, by default, benefit both trainee and mentor. Ideally, goals are for the mentor to facilitate and guide the long-term educational and professional aspirations of the trainee, while simultaneously creating an important member of the research team capable of meaningful contributions to the scientific enterprise. When this partnership fails to develop and flourish in a transparent and collaborative manner, the resulting disequilibrium leads to negative and costly impacts. Over the last 50 yr, I have observed the importance of several principles that, in my opinion, have a major influence on this process. The first of these begins at student recruitment and during the early part of a program after acceptance. Here, a clear understanding of any academic deficiencies and a commitment to rectify these deficiencies is essential. Academic programs of promising M.S. level candidates are sometimes heavily encumbered by this task. In contrast, Ph.D. programs are usually the final opportunity to take advantage of cutting-edge courses related to or supportive of reproductive biology and should be encouraged. Second, early development of a functional advisory committee is important and contributes broad experience and wisdom to the unique strengths and weaknesses of every student. Third, the trainee must learn early on the value of a mature attitude, a strong work ethic, and personal accountability. As an animal scientist, I want every student to be well-versed with hands on training/experience in basic animal physiology, nutrition, reproduction, experimental (surgical) techniques, and husbandry. Concurrently, they must learn to ensure that the well-being and ethical treatment of research animals always comes first. The foregoing is accomplished through personal example and never asking a student to do something you cannot or will not do yourself. Fourth, pursuing modern, cutting-edge techniques in the laboratory, regardless of long-term personal goals, should be an educational and experiential requirement. Fifth, development of meaningful and sound research projects requires hours of reading, thought and discussion. Students, particularly at the M.S. level, are often completely lost relative to the path forward. Allowing trainees to adopt pre-planned experiments within existing projects in the lab, with the mandate of developing new hypotheses and expanding beyond initial objectives, is a common theme. Pragmatically, this is also essential for maintaining laboratory focus and to service federal, state, and industry-funded projects effectively. Nonetheless, learning to develop and test new and sound hypotheses using appropriate experimental designs remains essential. Finally, no other factor has a greater impact on trainee success than the ability to communicate effectively using the English language. Unfortunately, this topic and problems associated with it usually form the caboose of most graduate training programs when it should have formed the engine.

FIP Pharmacy practice research summer meeting for PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and supervisors conference abstracts 2024

We are pleased to confirm the publication of the pharmacy practice research summer virtual meeting for PhD students, postdoctoral fellows and supervisors conference abstracts 2024. The research summer virtual meeting was hosted by the FIP Pharmacy Practice Research Special Interest Group (PPR SIG).

B - 112 Challenges and Opportunities for Training in a New Era in Neuropsychology: a Survey Study

Abstract Objective The field of neuropsychology is undergoing significant changes, especially as the Minnesota Update Conference (MUC) drafts are developed. In late 2023, a group of neuropsychology trainee-leaders, united through the Clinical Neuropsychology Trainee Forum (CNTF), surveyed trainees in the United States and Canada to better understand their needs and perception of the neuropsychology training climate. Method Survey items were written by a CNTF task force consisting of trainee-leaders from major neuropsychology organizations before being refined by four independent neuropsychologists, including two current neuropsychology postdoctoral fellowship training directors. The survey was distributed via listservs and social media. Results 220 respondents completed a majority of the survey, and they were primarily female (86%), White (71%), and training in the United States (92%). More than 75% of respondents reported satisfaction with their doctoral program, internship, and/or fellowship. Similarly, 90% and 73% of respondents, respectively, felt their opinions on the future of the field are listened to and/or valued in discussions with peers and supervisors/mentors. However, only 57% of respondents felt their opinions are valued by neuropsychology organizational leadership, and nearly 70% were uncertain or disagreed that trainees’ opinions were valued during the MUC draft development and review period. Conclusions Most neuropsychology trainees are satisfied with their training programs yet expressed concern about their opinions on the future of the field being heard by neuropsychology leadership. Trainee stakeholder engagement will be key to the vitality of neuropsychology in light of anticipated MUC Guidelines. Recommendations for supervisors, training directors, and neuropsychology organizational leadership will be discussed.

Effectiveness and implementation of decentralized, community- and primary care-based strategies in promoting hepatitis B testing uptake: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Expanding chronic hepatitis B (CHB) testing through effective implementation strategies in primary- and community-care setting is crucial for elimination. Our study aimed to determine the effectiveness of all available strategies in the literature and evaluate their specifications and implementation outcomes, thereby informing future programming and policymaking. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42023455781), searching Scopus, Embase, PubMed, and CINAHL databases up to June 05, 2024, for randomized controlled trials investigating primary- and community-care-based implementation strategies to promote CHB testing. Studies were screened against a priori eligibility criteria, and their data were extracted using a standardized protocol if included. ROB-2 was used to assess the risk of bias. Implementation strategies' components were characterized using the Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) framework. Random-effect models were applied to pool the effectiveness estimate by strategy. Mixed-effect meta-regression was employed to investigate if effectiveness varied by the number of strategy's BCW components. 7146 unique records were identified. 25 studies were eligible for the review, contributing 130,598 participants. 19 studies were included in the meta-analysis. No studies were conducted in low-and-middle-income countries. Implementation outcomes were reported in only ten studies (40%). Community-based strategies included lay health workers-led education (Pooled Risk Difference=27.9% [95% Confidence Interval=3.4-52.4], I2=99.3%) or crowdsourced education on social media (3.1% [-2.2 to 8.4], 0.0%). Primary care-based strategies consisted of electronic alert system (8.4% [3.7-13.1], 95.0%) and healthcare providers-led education (HCPs, 62.5% [53.1-71.9], 27.5%). The number of BCW-framework-driven strategy components showed a significant dose-response relationship with effectiveness. HCPs-led education stands out, and more enriched multicomponent strategies had better effectiveness. Future implementation strategies should consider critical contextual factors and policies to achieve a sustainable impact towards hepatitis B elimination targets. Tran Dolch Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Hepatology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD, USA.

How mentoring and a shift in mindset and practices can help navigate fast-paced science

Abstract In the competitive realm of academia, the pursuit of meaningful knowledge often collides with the imperative to publish quickly and frequently, sidelining patient investigation and deep understanding. This article aims to share critical insights into this issue, sparking further discussions about the challenges of fast-paced science and cultivating a more ethical scientific landscape, one that values exploration and ingenuity over rushed output and flashy headlines. The narrative traces the growing disillusionment of the first author with the prevailing publish-or-perish culture and her concerns about its impact on research quality and genuine collaboration. The article showcases how a mentoring programme for women postdoctoral researchers and network activities have aided her in navigating these challenges and carving out her career path. Her experiences are enriched by the perspectives of the second author, the coordinator of the mentoring programme. Through one-on-one mentoring, get-togethers, and workshops, the first author gained the inspiration, skills, and encouragement necessary to rekindle her commitment to science. The lesson learned is the importance of providing scientists with a guided, safe, and brave space for open dialogue about individual concerns and general working conditions in academia. Examples are provided that illustrate potential strategies and practices for challenging the status quo. By nurturing an environment that puts quality before quantity, academia can pave the way for transformative discoveries and profound understanding across all career levels.

COVID-19 pandemic & neurosciences in India- the CoINstudy: Impact of the pandemic on research related to the neurosciences.

Background & objectives We aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19-related disruptions on ongoing and future projects related to neuroscience research and young researchers in India. Methods We conducted a countrywide online survey using a structured, self-administered questionnaire involving medical trainees, post-doctoral fellows, PhD students, early career faculty members and basic neuroscience researchers. The purpose was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the respondents' ongoing/planned research activities and capture their concerns related to future research. Results Five hundred and four valid responses were analyzed. More than three-fourths of the respondents were in their early careers - 64.1 per cent were resident doctors, and 19.8 per cent were early career consultants. Maximum responses were received from respondents working in neurology (228; 45.2%), followed by psychiatry (192; 38.1%) and neurosurgery (49; 9.7%). More than three-fourths [83.5%, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.8-0.867] of the respondents reported that the pandemic had affected their research. About one-third of the respondents (171; 33.9%) reported delays in completing research studies. Respondents adapted to the pandemic's circumstances by making methodological changes in their research (155; 30.8%). Most respondents (301; 59.6%) reported being diverted from their traditional work settings to COVID-19-related clinical services. Respondents conducting prospective studies and randomized controlled trials and those diverted to COVID-related services were significantly more likely to report the adverse research impact. Interpretation & conclusions In our survey, an overwhelming majority of the respondents reported that the pandemic adversely impacted their study. This trend was independent of sex, designation, and research output of individual subjects. The serious impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on neurosciences research warrants the attention and concerted efforts of the research supervisors, institutional heads, funding agencies and other stakeholders.

First person – Emmet Francis

ABSTRACT First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Journal of Cell Science, helping researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Emmet Francis is first author on ‘ Computational modeling establishes mechanotransduction as a potent modulator of the mammalian circadian clock’, published in JCS. Emmet is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the lab of Padmini Rangamani at University of California, San Diego, USA, where he develops computational models at the intersection of cell signaling and cell mechanics to discover mechanisms of chemo-mechanical coupling that enable cells to adapt and respond to diverse stimuli.

ECR Spotlight – Nicole Schwartz

ECR Spotlight is a series of interviews with early-career authors from a selection of papers published in Journal of Experimental Biology and aims to promote not only the diversity of early-career researchers (ECRs) working in experimental biology but also the huge variety of animals and physiological systems that are essential for the ‘comparative’ approach. Nicole Schwartz is an author on ‘ A meta-analysis of whole-body and heart mass effect sizes from a long-term artificial selection experiment for high voluntary exercise’, published in JEB. Nicole conducted the research described in this article while a PhD student in Theodore Garland, Jr's lab at University of California, Riverside, USA. She is now a Postdoctoral Fellow in the lab of Patricia C. Lopes at Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, USA, investigating how early-life effects can alter the development of offspring and modify the expression of complex behaviors (e.g. voluntary exercise) into adulthood.

Mentorship Interventions in Postgraduate Medical and STEM Settings: A Scoping Review.

Mentorship is critical to success in postgraduate science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM) settings. As such, the purpose of this study is to comprehensively explore the state of mentorship interventions in postgraduate STEMM settings to identify novel practices and future research directions. The selection criteria for reviewed articles included: 1) published between 2002 and 2022, 2) peer-reviewed, 3) in English, 4) postgraduate mentees, 5) a program where mentorship is a significant, explicit focus, and 6) a description of mentee outcomes related to the mentorship intervention. Overall, 2583 articles were screened, and 109 articles were reviewed. Most postgraduate STEMM mentorship intervention studies lack strong evidence to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention, with only 5.5% of articles designed as randomized controlled trials. Most mentorship interventions (45.6%) were created for faculty, and few (4%) were for postdoctoral researchers. Also, only 18.8% of interventions focused on underrepresented groups in STEMM. Most interventions (53.7%) prescribed a dyadic structure, and there was more mentorship training for mentors than mentees. Overall, these findings identify gaps in mentorship interventions and provide step-by-step guidance for future interventions, including a consideration for underrepresented groups and postdoctoral scholars, robust mentorship training, and more randomized controlled trials.

Abstract P118: Effect of renal denervation on the blood pressure and progression of diabetic kidney disease in T2DN rats

Background: As a common complication of diabetes, diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a chronic progressive disorder that can lead to kidney failure, and it is currently the leading cause of kidney replacement therapy in the USA and worldwide. Although renal denervation (RDNx) has recently been approved by the FDA to treat hypertension, contradictory findings have been reported on the effect of RDNx on the blood pressure and progression of DKD in type 2 diabetic mellitus. Here, we used type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN) rats, a well-established non-obese model that displays similar renal abnormalities and hyperglycemic levels as seen in humans, to evaluate the effect of RNDx on the blood pressure and progression of DKD. Methods: Bilateral RDNx or sham surgeries were performed on male T2DN rats with mild and severe stages of DN (~20 or >35 weeks old). The blood pressure was monitored chronically using radio telemetry throughout the entire experiment. 24-hr urine collection, glucose tolerance test, and GFR measurement were performed at baseline and at the end of the experiments. Blood and urine electrolytes were measured using a blood gas analyzer. The amount of norepinephrine in the kidney was evaluated by ELISA. Results: Bilateral RNDx were successfully performed on T2DN rats with a significant reduction of norepinephrine in the kidneys of the RDNx group (244±13 vs. 8±1 pg/mg for >35 weeks old rats). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate remain the same between the Sham and RDNx groups. The glucose tolerance test also indicates no difference between the two groups. While there is a significant decrease in the GFR in Sham group from baseline to week 3, the GFRs between Sham and RDNx groups are not different. Similarly, total body weight, kidney to total body weight ratio, heart to total body weight ratio, and blood and urine electrolytes are also not different between Sham and RDNx groups. Analysis of the younger group (~20 weeks old) is in progress. Conclusion: In summary, our data suggests that RDNx does not affect the blood pressure and progression of DKD in male T2ND rats, at least at the stage of severe kidney injury (>35 weeks old). Funding sources: National Institute of Health R01 DK135644 and R01 DK129227, Department of Veterans Affairs I01 BX004024 (to AS), and APS Postdoctoral fellowship (to BX).

A Survey Among Psychiatrists to Assess the Need for Psychiatry Sub/Super-specialization Courses in India.

India's landscape of sub/super-specialization courses is expanding rapidly. Numerous courses spanning various domains of psychiatry exist, and this trend is poised to continue its upward trajectory. We aimed to assess the need for sub/super-specialization courses in psychiatry in India and explore the structural components of the courses. This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 142 psychiatrists/psychiatry residents from India were surveyed using an online questionnaire after approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. "Good" and "intense" need for specialization courses was reported to be highest for child and adolescent psychiatry (68.3%), followed by addiction psychiatry (56.4%) and psychotherapy (55.6%). A 1-year post-doctoral fellowship was reported to be the most preferred course format. Practical examination was suggested to be the preferred summative assessment method for different course formats. The availability of sub/super-specialization courses presents an opportunity to enhance psychiatrists' training in specific areas of interest. Offering a variety of course options enables psychiatrists to select the most suitable program based on their individual requirements and career goals.

A postdoctoral training program in bioimage analysis.

We herein describe a postdoctoral training program designed to train biologists with microscopy experience in bioimage analysis. We detail the rationale behind the program, the various components of the training program, and outcomes in terms of works produced and the career effects on past participants. We analyze the results of an anonymous survey distributed to past and present participants, indicating overall high value of all 12 rated aspects of the program, but significant heterogeneity in which aspects were most important to each participant. Finally, we propose this model as a template for other programs which may want to train experts in professional skill sets, and discuss the important considerations when running such a program. We believe that such programs can have extremely positive impact for both the trainees themselves and the broader scientific community.

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology Program (NSF)

Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology Program (NSF)