January 2011 Newsletter

KL2 Program of the University of Rochester Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (UR CTSI)

The UR CTSI’s mentored career development program includes support for new investigators interested in a career in clinical or translational research. The goal is for the trainee to emerge as an independently-funded investigator at the completion of the award.

The KL2 program (the “L” stands for “linked”, as this program is linked to the UR CTSI) is targeted toward fellows transitioning to junior faculty. Awardees are chosen by an group of URMC reviewers, on the basis of the candidate’s training environment, career development plans and project proposal. The award provides 3 to 5 years of career development support.  Candidates and their mentors receive education and training support from the UR CTSI Mentor Development Core. They also take part in the didactic Rochester Clinical and Translational Research Curriculum, and the specific parts of that Curriculum they pursue depend, for each awardee, on their prior research experiences and training.

At present, two faculty from URMC Pediatrics are recipients of KL2 awards from the UR CTSI. Melanie Wellington, M.D., Ph.D. is a member of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Dr. Wellington is working to develop novel strategies for combating fungal disease in immunocompromised children, such as those undergoing treatment for cancer or transplantation for organ failure. Leesha Hoilette, M.D., M.S. is a member of the Division of General Pediatrics. Dr. Hoilette's research is focused on medically underserved populations, insurance, and access to care with a particular focus on the role of federally-qualified community health centers as medical homes for adults and children. She is a recent recipient of the UR CTSI's KL2 Mentored Career Development Award to study federally-qualified community health centers as patient-centered medical homes.