SGI Dev. / Reproductive Scientist Development Program

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Sponsor: Society for Gynecologic Investigation

Location(s): United States

Description

The RSDP is a national career development program launched in 1988 with the goal of developing a cadre of reproductive physician-scientists based in academic departments who could employ cutting-edge cell and molecular technologies to address important problems in the field of obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN). The mentored research experiences this program offers seek to assist junior faculty in their transition to productive, independent physician-scientists who are highly competitive for research funding. As of spring, 2012, approximately 90 scholars have participated in the RSDP. Of those, nearly 90% are active in academia, and 67% have applied for NIH funding (excluding loan repayment applications); approximately two-thirds of those applying have received at least one grant. Many of these individuals have also gone on to assume leadership positions in their respective institutions.

The program accepts approximately four scholars each year for a 5- to 6-year training period. In Phase I of the program, scholars spend 2 to 3 years in intensive basic science training at outstanding research laboratories around the country, under the supervision of experienced mentors. In Phase II, scholars spend an additional 3 years establishing their research programs as junior faculty in a department of OB/GYN.

The RSDP is supported by the NICHD's Fertility and Infertility (FI) Branch (formerly the Reproductive Sciences [RS] Branch) using the Physician Scientist Award (K12) mechanism. The following organizations and corporations have provided additional support for the program throughout the years: the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bayer HealthCare, the Burroughs Wellcome Fund, the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, the National Cancer Institute, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Inc., and the Society for Gynecologic Investigation.