TRAINING
The HEALTH–FAST Program is designed to position
trainees to develop the attitudes, knowledge, and skills to conduct research on reducing alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) health disparities. The purpose of the program is to build capacity for independent research in careers in the substance abuse sciences that specifically focus on
the disproportionate burden of use and addiction in racial and ethnic minority populations that subsequently confer disparities in chronic diseases within these marginalized and underserved communities.
WHAT DO THEY DO?
Doctoral Scholars participate in thematic coursework and ATOD seminars, professional development sessions, as well as Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training. Scholars also present their work for feedback from peers, content experts, and community stakeholders. HEALTH–FAST scholars get early exposure to the advantages of transdisciplinary science and participate in guided reflection activities to better understand how team science can be a mechanism for innovation and rapid translation of cutting-edge science.
HEALTH–FAST Doctoral Scholars are matched with a UH faculty mentor who provides hands-on research experiences and opportunities for meaningful contribution to the research. Mentors work with scholars to develop
a project based on their mutual interests and guide scholars in activities such as developing research questions and proposals, synthesizing current knowledge and research, determining appropriate research methods and statistical analyses, and presenting and publishing findings.
The breadth and depth of research responsibilities and activities are guided by the trainee’s pre-training
self-assessment, Individual Development Plans, and research opportunities available in the mentor’s laboratory.
In general, Doctoral Scholars are expected to dedicate about 15 hours a week in supervised research activities with their primary faculty mentor (leaving about 5 hours for other program elements).
WHEN DOES IT START AND WHAT IS THE FORMAT?
The next cohort of HEALTH–FAST Doctoral Scholars will start their 9-month program in the Fall of 2023. We can accept up to 4 Doctoral Scholars in each annual cohort. HEALTH–FAST programming will be largely virtual; however, research mentors may have in-person expectations for research/laboratory work.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE AND DO THEY GET PAID?
HEALTH–FAST Doctoral Scholars need to be committed to, or actively enrolled in, a full-time in a doctoral degree program in the University of Houston. Trainees will need to have at least 2 years remaining in their doctoral programming. They also must be U.S. Citizens and/or Permanent Residents to qualify. Doctoral Scholars are paid a competitive monthly stipend for their participation in the program.
WHAT DO THEY DO?
Postdoctoral Trainees and Early Stage Investigators (ESIs) participate in an intensive 1-month virtual summer immersion program. HEALTH–FAST curriculum will have emphasis on ATOD-related health disparities, advanced research methodology, and a diverse focus on various mechanisms and applications within each area (e.g., genetics, epidemiology of substance abuse, treatment development, technology advancements, and implementation science).
The intensive summer program will feature HEALTH–FAST seminars on a specific ATOD to develop in-depth and cutting-edge knowledge in a substance of abuse and its associations with chronic diseases; a Grant Writing Boot Camp to accelerate the development of grant writing skills; Professional Development Sessions; and experience with Grant Review as a reviewer for an upcoming cycle of the HEALTH–RCMI's Pilot Grant Program to better understand NIH review processes and considerations.
Professional Development Sessions are held in conjunction with the HEALTH–RCMI's Professional Development Program to maximize the potential for partnerships that advance a team science approach to research and the number of opportunities for networking and information/idea exchange among individuals across multiple disciplines.
Following the intensive 1-month virtual summer immersion program, HEALTH–FAST Postdoctoral Fellows and ESIs continue to engage virtually with the program, with periodic mentoring and consultation meetings geared toward submitting a competitive and developmentally appropriate grant application to the NIH.
WHEN DOES IT START AND WHAT IS THE FORMAT?
Each year the focus of the 1-month virtual summer immersion program changes to highlight a particular area of ATOD science. This year’s summer program will take place June 5 – June 30, 2023 and is focused on alcohol research. We can accept up to 4 Postdoctoral Fellows and ESIs combined each summer. All programming in the summer of 2023 is conducted virtually.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE AND DO THEY GET PAID?
HEALTH–FAST Postdoctoral Fellows and ESIs can be affiliated with any university/medical center in the U.S., but must be U.S. Citizens and/or Permanent Residents to qualify. Postdoctoral Fellows and ESIs are paid $4,000 for their participation in the program and have access to monies for external grant reviewers.
QUESTIONS
1100 Health 2, 4349 Martin Luther King Blvd.
Houston, TX 77204