# Mentoring URM Scientists in Behavioral and Cardiovascular Health to Increase Academic Workforce Diversity

> **NIH NIH T32** · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $485,037

## Abstract

Project Summary: The NYU’s T32 Program on Behavioral Cardiovascular Health Research is a 2-year
program providing an innovative, theory-based mentored learning experience to promote academic careers
of URM postdoctoral scientists. Its programmatic components are informed by the Theory of Planned
Behavior, the Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, and the Ibarra-Thomas Theory. During the two academic
years, mentees will receive didactic training in cardiovascular, behavioral, and population health sciences
by attending structured courses and workshops in NYU’s Masters of Science in Clinical Investigation and
the PRIDE Institute. Consistent with recommendations of the NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education,
URM mentees will participate in individualized and group learning exercises aimed at improving skills in
critical thinking, verbal and written communication, and time management to achieve academic goals. They
will be mentored while implementing their Individual Development Plan, including acquisition of professional
and laboratory-based research skills, peer networking, and NIH grant writing. We will implement and
evaluate the programmatic plan during 5 years and track mentees’ achievements for 10 years post program
completion. Specific outcomes that will be measured include number of: (1) peer-reviewed publications and
professional presentations; (2) academic leadership positions; (3) career awards; (4) federal and non-
federal grants; and (5) likelihood of engaging in mentoring activities. We will also evaluate mentees’
characteristics (self-efficacy, intrinsic motivation, and resilience) that predict academic success pre and post
matriculation in the program. The specific aims of the Program are: 1) To select qualified postdoctoral URM
scientists (PhD or MD/PhD) with great potential to become innovative and creative leaders in the scientific
community, applying translational behavioral models to reduce risk of metabolic diseases (e.g., obesity,
hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and sleep apnea); 2) To increase mentees’ knowledge, skills, and
motivation to pursue independent research programs in behavioral cardiovascular health. This intensive 2-
year program provides exposure to multidisciplinary research tools to study cardiovascular diseases and
exposure to instructions to enhance career development skills; 3) To mentor URM scientists to facilitate
entry in academia and transition as independent researchers. Mentees will be assigned to a Mentoring
Team, comprised of nationally recognized senior investigators with expertise guiding mentees in developing
their careers and in submitting a successful grant application. The T32 Program will address a critical
deficiency in the academic workforce by mentoring a total of 12 URM postdoctoral scientists to pursue
careers in behavioral cardiovascular health research. This will have a strong impact in achieving Healthy
People 2020 goal to increase diversity in the academic workforce, thus exp...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9843684
- **Project number:** 5T32HL129953-04
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Girardin Jean-Louis
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $485,037
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-01-01 → 2021-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9843684

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9843684, Mentoring URM Scientists in Behavioral and Cardiovascular Health to Increase Academic Workforce Diversity (5T32HL129953-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9843684. Licensed CC0.

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