PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT This application is for an administrative supplement to UTMB’s K12 program “Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health” (BIRCWH) award (K12HD052023), which was recently renewed in 2020 for a 4th cycle (2020-2025). The administrative supplement will provide funding for a fourth trainee position, to be filled by a scientist or clinician from an underrepresented minority background. The goal of the UTMB BIRCWH program, currently in its 18th year, is to launch junior faculty scholars into successful careers as independent researchers in women’s health. The program has been continuously led by Dr. Abbey Berenson since its inception and is supported by three Associate Directors who work with her to ensure robust leadership and an interdisciplinary focus for all program activities. UTMB’s BIRCWH program is also supported by Resource Lab Director Brandie Taylor, PhD, who provides support on study design and methodology. BIRCWH Scholars at UTMB are guided by at least 2 of 20 Mentors, who work in 4 inter-professional teams built from existing collaborations in areas of strength on campus: Reproductive Health, Aging, Infectious Diseases, and Health Disparities/Hispanic Health. All Mentors have extensive publication records in women’s health, external funding as PI (average of $1.37 million per year) and strong mentoring histories. Once appointed, Scholars make Individual Development Plans and tailor their didactic experiences accordingly. All must demonstrate competence in 10 educational objectives that define the fundamental knowledge, skills, and attitudes of an accomplished investigator. Program activities include significant mentoring time, specialized seminars, individual instruction in writing, and career development interactions with senior campus leaders. To prepare Scholars for advanced academic roles, recent additions to the curriculum have included a journal club on SABV and a requirement for Scholars to mentor biomedical students. An external review of Scholars, Directors, Mentors, Resource Lab, and program processes occurs annually. Scholars must submit evidence of national presentations, published manuscripts, and progress toward independent funding. The Advisory Committee reviews all evaluation data and confirms each Scholar’s continuation in the program. BIRCWH leadership has selected Gabriela Halder, MD to fill the fourth position supported by this administrative supplement. Dr. Halder is a Panama-born urogynecological surgeon specialist with a clear passion for research and commitment to increasing Hispanic representation in academia. She currently conducts research on pelvic floor disorders among older women with low health literacy. The BIRCWH program will importantly provide Dr. Halder with a unique opportunity to obtain the necessary skills to prepare competitive grant applications and establish independence. As the fourth BIRCWH Scholar supported by this supplement, she will work on developi...