The primary focus of the University of Houston Obesity Science Research (OSR) Program is to train, mentor, and sustain early career investigators in the biomedical and behavioral sciences to become highly talented independent investigators in areas of research relevant to the NHLBI. Overweight and obesity directly contribute to risk factors for cardiometabolic multimorbidity (i.e., type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and stroke) and can lead to the development of cardiovascular disease independent of other cardiovascular risk factors. National obesity prevalence rates have increased nearly fifty percent over the past 20 years and 19 states and two territories in the U.S. now have adult obesity rates above 35% – a rate that has doubled since 2018. Numerous reports have called for effective interventions for weight loss and weight management to slow and ultimately reverse current trends.
OSR PRIDE Summer Institutes will include:
- Didactic sessions exposing scholars to cutting-edge, interdisciplinary obesity research across the life course;
- Training in a range of research study designs, responsible conduct of research (RCR), grant writing, grants management, and secondary data analysis;
- Interactive Works-in-Progress feedback sessions;
- Writing Accountability Groups (WAGs) to enhance scientific productivity;
- Longitudinal mentoring teams and networking opportunities;
- Career coaching and structured research mentoring;
- Active Alumni Network.
OSR PRIME scholars may have the opportunity to apply for Small Research Projects (SRPs) during the first year of the program. SRPs are intended to generate preliminary data as the foundation for developing future NHLBI grant applications. Scholars will receive guidance from their mentoring team to develop and refine their SRP proposals, meet SRP milestones, disseminate study results via scientific presentations, and produce scientific publications.
Scholars in the OSR PRIME program will be required to:
- Participate in a 10-day Summer Institute in year 1 delivered in a phased, hybrid format (5 days in person, 5 asynchronous days), and a one week Summer Institute in Year 2 of the program;
- Attend a 2-day face-to-face Mid-Year meeting;
- Attend at the 3-day PRIME Annual Meeting in Bethesda, MD (typically held in April);
- Join the OSR PRIME Alumni Network after program completion.
The OSR PRIME program at the University of Houston is part of the NHLBI's Programs Among Individuals Engaged in Health Related Research. This is an all-expense paid program for early career faculty and transitioning post-doctorates to enable them to become competitive independent scientists. The scholars will have access to an extensive network of experienced investigators and career coaches to enhance become highly successful independent investigators in the NHLBI focus area of obesity research.