# Reproductive and Child Health StaRR Program

> **NIH AI R38** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2026 · $402,731

## Abstract

SUMMARY
The objective of this R38 is to increase the number of next generation physician-scientists that can apply
knowledge of microbiology, immunology, and research techniques for the improvement of reproductive, maternal
and child health. We request support for 4 physician-scientists in pediatrics or obstetrics/gynecology residency
to complete one year of laboratory-based immunology or infectious disease training. The major strength of our
program is the world-class faculty mentors that span expertise across bacterial and viral infectious diseases,
immune system development, infectious disease immunology, autoimmunity, allergy, cancer immunology and
vaccines, immunodeficiencies, innate and adaptive immunity, vaccinology, antibody response, functional
genomics of the immune system and response, and immunotherapeutics. Our program features a training
program that combines research with an R38 seminar series to strengthen and build our students’ critical
thinking, scientific communication, responsible conduct of research, and skills in navigating academic medicine
unique to physician-scientists. Our trainees will benefit from the rich, diverse, and interactive infectious disease
and immunology community at University of Washington and our Seattle partner institutions: Benaroya Research
Institute, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and Seattle Children's Research Institute. During and after their R38
year, we will provide trainees with opportunities to interact with one another to build a community of early-stage
physician-scientists in reproductive, maternal and child health. Our R38 Seminar Series features training not
only in scientific communication, but also in leadership strategies, professionalism, negotiation, and work-life
balance that are critical for navigating hurdles in academic medicine. A unique highlight of the program is an
ongoing commitment to scholars after completion of their award by providing mentoring in grant writing for their
first K38 or other 

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11294221
- **Project number:** 5R38AI181011-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Kristina M. Adams Waldorf
- **Activity code:** R38 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** AI
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $402,731
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2025-03-01T00:00:00 → 2030-02-28T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11294221

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11294221, Reproductive and Child Health StaRR Program (5R38AI181011-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-07-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11294221. Licensed CC0.

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