# Medical University of South Carolina Mentoring Program in Digestive and Liver Diseases

> **NIH NIH UE5** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2024 · $161,182

## Abstract

Abstract – MUSC HARP Program
 Underrepresented in medicine (UIM) investigators are insufficiently represented among medical school
faculty. The reasons for this underrepresentation are complex, and have been attributed to such factors as
implicit bias, promotion disparities, lack of role models, and in particular, a lack of effective mentorship. As
above, population differences in clinical outcomes are well established and expected to worsen; thus, a more
diverse biomedical workforce is needed.
 The overall objective of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) contribution to the Helping to
Accelerate Research Potential (HARP) Program in NIDDK related disease areas is to provide ready access to
quality mentoring and training - thereby enabling outstanding research in NIDDK related disease areas. Our
vision is to establish the HARP program as a sustainable resource for NIDDK related disease areas
throughout the U.S.
 Through the HARP Program in Digestive and Liver Disease, we have hypothesized that a mentoring
network for UIMs and persons with disabilities to supplement that which is present in the mentee's university
will provide additional critical and valuable mentorship. Therefore, we propose to implement innovative and
transformative researcher mentorship and training to ensure development and sustainability of the digestive
and liver disease UIM workforce. We have proposed the 3 Specific Aims as follows: Aim 1 - to establish
durable mentoring relationships and to effectively mentor a cadre of talented UIM early career scientists to
become independently funded in NIDDK related research areas through an integrated and dynamic mentorship
program. Aim 2 - Increase scholars' scientific knowledge, professional skills, motivation, and credentials to
pursue independent careers in NIDDK-related research areas via a rigorous educational and didactic program.
Aim 3 – to promote the long-term viability and success of the HARP Program in NIDDK related research areas
through rigorous evaluation, ongoing improvement strategies, and mission alignment with other HARP mentors
and centers. The MUSC HARP program will be supported not only by MUSC's CTSA, but also by its rich and
experienced institutional training programs.
 In summary, through expansion of mentorship of UIM junior investigators and promotion of interdisciplinary
exchange among mentors, Scholar's, and NIDDK leadership, the MUSC HARP Program will substantially
augment thematic NIDDK related disease research on a national level. The founding efforts proposed here
and in collaboration with the entire HARP group are expected to establish an effective, high quality,
sustainable, and multidisciplinary career development program.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10915608
- **Project number:** 5UE5DK137316-02
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** DON C. ROCKEY
- **Activity code:** UE5 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $161,182
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-01 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10915608

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10915608, Medical University of South Carolina Mentoring Program in Digestive and Liver Diseases (5UE5DK137316-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10915608. Licensed CC0.

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