# Advancing Child Health Through Cellular and Molecular Biology

> **NIH NIH K12** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2022 · $380,721

## Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract
The University of Michigan Child Health Research Career Development Award (CHRCDA) program is
designed to support the career development of junior pediatric investigators. CHRCDA scholars participate in
an intensive, mentored training program in cell and molecular biology as well as a didactic educational
program designed to ensure their continued research development. Since its launch in 1992, the Michigan
CHRCDA has contributed to the training of nearly 50 pediatrician-scientists, the majority of whom have
obtained R-level NIH funding for the study of childhood diseases. The Aims of this renewal application are to:
 1) Recruit the most promising junior pediatrician-scientists for training, including those from
diverse backgrounds. In order to broaden the scope, reach and diversity of our pediatrician-scientist
“pipeline,” we now plan to undertake a regional collaboration with the Children's Hospital of Michigan, an
affiliate of Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit.
 2) Enhance the translational research training of pediatrician-scientists. It is essential for scholars to
participate in translational research teams bringing together physicians, bench scientists, statisticians, patent
experts, and more. To accomplish this goal, we plan to leverage the resources of the Michigan Institute for
Clinical and Health Research (MICHR, home of the University of Michigan CTSA), and
 3) Recognize that many pediatric diseases are more common in underserved populations and arise
in part from dietary and environmental exposures. Childhood obesity and exposure to lead and other
environmental toxins are important contributors to disease in Michigan children. To address this need, we
plan to further extend our mentor base from the University of Michigan Department of Pediatrics to other
Departments and Schools, including the University of Michigan School of Public Health and the Wayne State
University Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
 To achieve these Aims, the Program Director, Dr. Opipari, and Co-Training Directors, Drs. Hershenson
and Lipshultz, will be assisted by 1) a Scientific Advisory Committee to oversee program direction and scholar
selection and evaluation; 2) an External Advisory Board to provide an independent review of the program; 3)
an Education Core to oversee scholar didactic training; 4) two Recruitment Officers to assist in identification
and recruitment of minority candidates; and 5) National Program Reviewers who will be invited to campus to
perform an annual review of the program and assess the progress of the UM CHRCDA Scholars.
 Finally, due to the urgent need to train pediatrician-scientists, the University of Michigan Medical School
Dean's Office and the Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases has agreed to supply matching
funds for one additional Scholar per year for the five-year term of the award.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10299618
- **Project number:** 5K12HD028820-30
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Donna M. Martin
- **Activity code:** K12 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $380,721
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2002-02-15 → 2022-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10299618

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10299618, Advancing Child Health Through Cellular and Molecular Biology (5K12HD028820-30). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10299618. Licensed CC0.

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