# Vanderbilt Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (V-StARR)

> **NIH NIH R38** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $378,761

## Abstract

The goal of this application is to continue the highly successful Vanderbilt - Stimulating Access to Research
in Residency; V-StARR) mentored training program for residents in Medicine or Pediatrics who possess both
the aptitude and passion for becoming a new generation of clinician-scientists. We will continue to focus on “late
bloomers”; typically, those residents who decide to pursue a career as a clinician-scientist after acceptance to a
standard clinical residency pathway. The primary goal is to provide a nurturing mentored environment for
Resident Investigators to perform highly rigorous research training to facilitate a successful transition to a
research-focused fellowship and subsequent appointment as tenure track faculty. The overarching goal is to
expand the pipeline of those achieving independence as clinician-scientists. Another core goal is to promote
diversity and inclusion in research training in a highly intentional way. Each Resident Investigator will develop
and complete a mentored research project in an area of focus consistent with the missions of NHLBI and will
also participate in selected workshops and courses and in our clinician-scientist development communities.
Investigation may be basic, translational, clinical, or population health. All of our R38 graduates have gone on to
pursue research-based careers and based on their success, and our deep applicant pool, we are expanding our
program to six training slots to support Resident Investigators for 1-2 years with a minimum of 80% protected
research time. Four of these slots will be funded by the R38 award and one slot each by the Departments of
Medicine and Pediatrics. There is a formal program selection process to identify the most competitive applicants.
Our proven success in recruitment to the program demonstrates our ability to attract a strong group of applicants.
The program will provide intense scientific mentorship and personalized career development. The Resident
Investigators will have access to a cadre of more than fifty carefully selected NIH-funded preceptors who have
successful track records of mentoring early career scholars. Each Resident Investigator will have a personalized
Scholarly Oversight Committee to assist them in achieving program goals, to evaluate resident progress, and to
develop, advise on, and track their career development plan. Evaluation of Resident Investigators includes
competency-based milestone assessments. There will be equally rigorous program assessments. Key outcomes
for the program include: Academic productivity (presentations, peer-review publications, grants); recruitment of
scholars from diverse backgrounds; entry of residents into research intensive fellowships; and success in
obtaining T32 positions and K38 grants. Long-term follow-up of all Resident Investigators will be performed using
Flight Tracker and through personal contact. The Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics are fully integrated
into the Vanderbilt School of...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10758272
- **Project number:** 5R38HL167237-02
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael R. DeBaun
- **Activity code:** R38 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $378,761
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-01-01 → 2027-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10758272

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10758272, Vanderbilt Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (V-StARR) (5R38HL167237-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10758272. Licensed CC0.

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