# Mentoring Diverse Early Career Researchers in Behavioral Diabetes Prevention Research

> **NIH NIH K26** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS · 2023 · $146,517

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The overarching objective of this Midcareer Investigator Award is to expand the candidate’s capacity to provide
excellent mentoring in behavioral diabetes prevention research to diverse early career researchers, including
those from underrepresented groups (URG), underrepresented minorities (URM), and women. This mentorship
program will leverage the candidate’s intensive research in behavioral interventions for type 2 diabetes
prevention within high-risk maternal populations—funded since 2014—which forms a solid foundation for
training activities and research opportunities. Mentorship will build upon the candidate’s track record of
recruiting and mentoring diverse trainees, and a mentoring philosophy rooted in the science of social
belonging, social cognitive theory, emotional intelligence, and strengths-based mentorship. Mentees will
develop expertise across four scientific emphasis areas to advance success in behavioral intervention
research in diverse and underserved populations: health behaviors for diabetes prevention, health equity,
maternal health, and implementation science, with a focus on designing innovative interventions for healthcare
system settings. Mentee professional development will emphasize key themes of navigating mentoring
relationships, cultural awareness, career planning, and grant writing. The candidate will strengthen expertise in
evidence-based mentoring with an emphasis three areas: creating inclusive research environments, mentoring
mastery, and leadership. Using a team science approach, mentees will benefit from being embedded within a
collaborative, transdisciplinary team of experts in behavioral science, diabetology, epidemiology, perinatology,
bioethics, and biostatistics. Mentees will also have access to extensive resources provided by the UC Davis
Clinical Translational Science Center as well as established scientific centers devoted to maternal health and
healthcare research. The candidate’s active research in behavioral interventions for diabetes prevention,
combined with comprehensive, evidence-based, hands-on mentorship, will foster pre-doctoral and postdoctoral
mentees’ growth as independent investigators. This award will provide the candidate with the necessary
training, resources, and protected time to significantly expand her mentoring practice, with the long-term goal
of advancing inclusive excellence in the diabetes research workforce.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10794017
- **Project number:** 1K26DK138246-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT DAVIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Susan Denise Brown
- **Activity code:** K26 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $146,517
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-09-07 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10794017

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10794017, Mentoring Diverse Early Career Researchers in Behavioral Diabetes Prevention Research (1K26DK138246-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10794017. Licensed CC0.

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