# Mentoring and Research in Biobehavioral Aspects of Pediatric Pain

> **NIH NIH K24** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $195,366

## Abstract

Project Summary
The overall objective of this K24 application is to expand my current patient-oriented research (POR) and
mentoring to integrate patient engagement from research to dissemination of care to improve the biobehavioral
care of youth with chronic MSK pain. This award will provide the crucial protected time to enhance my quality
and quantity of mentoring of junior investigators focused on POR including current K awardees, future T-32
fellows, and clinical fellows (physician and psychology). My currently supported POR encompasses translating
targeted biopsychosocial assessments into mechanistically informed treatment approaches for optimal clinical
care, coupled with pain neuroscience psychology that leverages experimental and neuroimaging methods to
gain a mechanistic understanding of cognitive and affective processes that coalesce with function in children
with chronic pain and their parents. All projects leverage the ubiquity of digital health to enhance patient access
and reach. Our lab has world-leading expertise in theory- and mechanism-oriented research for patients and
their families. The new direction of research to be supported through this award focuses on gaining new expertise
in scientifically rigorous qualitative and codesign methods to partner with patients and their families across all
stages of research. This application proposes two studies with significant mentoring opportunities within my long-
term research objective to improve the health and well-being of youth with chronic pain. Study 1 characterizes
the lived experience of youth with musculoskeletal (MSK) pain seeking, completing, and reflecting on pain care.
Study 2 aims to codesign an optimization of our evidence-based graded exposure treatment for adolescents
with chronic MSK pain and their parents, GET Living. The K24 builds on my previous research, leverages existing
cohorts and data, adds new training, and solidifies collaborations with leaders in patient participatory research
and qualitative data analysis to provide effective mentorship to the next generation of POR pediatric pain
scientists. With support from the K24 award, I will enhance my mentoring capacity and I will work to enhance my
career development with activities relevant to my mentees, my research, and my professional development.
Specifically, I plan to deepen my understanding of qualitative data methods and analysis and patient participatory
research methods. Moreover, I will dedicate time to ensure continued training in legal and ethical issues
associated with research on human subjects and clinical trials and strengthen my professional leadership skills.
The proposed studies provide the ideal context for enhancing mentorship opportunities via hands-on training
and scientific development in the biobehavioral aspects of pediatric chronic pain applying patient-centered
methods. With dedicated time and training from the K24, I will be better equipped to mentor the next generation
of POR pedia...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10598517
- **Project number:** 5K24AR078945-02
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** LAURA E SIMONS
- **Activity code:** K24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $195,366
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-04-01 → 2027-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10598517

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10598517, Mentoring and Research in Biobehavioral Aspects of Pediatric Pain (5K24AR078945-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10598517. Licensed CC0.

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