Mentoring junior URM scientists to engage in sleep health disparities research: experience of the NYU PRIDE Institute

• Implementing training programs tailored to address specific needs of underrepresented minority (URM) scientists is paramount in empowering them to address sleep-related cardiovascular diseases that disproportionately burden their communities.
• The specific goals of the Program to Increase Diversity (PRIDE) Institute are to: select qualified junior URM faculty with the potential to contribute towards current knowledge of translational models to reduce sleep-related cardiovascular risk; increase mentees' knowledge, skills, and motivation to pursue a career in implementation of translational behavioral sciences; provide continuous mentorship to mentees and facilitate achievement of career independence; and dispense individualized coaching in acquiring proficiency in grant writing and understanding of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) review process.
• Overall, the institute accomplished its main goal: to build an infrastructure enabling junior URM faculty to network with one another as well as with senior investigators, serving as role models, in a supportive academic environment.
• Exposure to the PRIDE Institute enables junior URM faculty to develop important research and leadership skills to compete nationally for funding to support their academic career.

AimThe aim of this study was to evaluate the National Institute of Health (NIH)-funded PRIDE Institute in Behavioral Medicine and Sleep Disorders Research at New York University (NYU) Langone Medical Center. The NYU PRIDE Institute provides intensive didactic and mentored research training to junior underrepresented minority (URM) faculty.MethodThe Kirkpatrick model, a mixed-methods program evaluation tool, was used to gather data on participant's satisfaction and program outcomes. Quantitative evaluation data were obtained from all 29 mentees using the PRIDE REDcap-based evaluation tool. In addition, in-depth interviews and focus groups were conducted with 17 mentees to learn about their experiences at the institute and their professional development activities. Quantitative data were examined, and emerging themes from in-depth interviews and focus groups were studied for patterns of connection and grouped into broader categories based on grounded theory.ResultsOverall, mentees rated all programmatic and mentoring aspects of the NYU PRIDE Institute very highly (80–100%). They identified the following areas as critical to their development: research and professional skills, mentorship, structured support and accountability, peer support, and continuous career development beyond the summer institute. Indicators of academic self-efficacy showed substantial improvement over time. Areas for improvement included tailoring programmatic activities to individual needs, greater assistance with publications, and identifying local mentors when K awards are sought.ConclusionsIn order to promote career development, numerous factors that uniquely influence URM investigators' ability to succeed should be addressed. The NYU PRIDE Institute, which provides exposure to a well-resourced academic environment, leadership, didactic skills building, and intensive individualized mentorship proved successful in enabling URM mentees to excel in the academic environment. Overall, the institute accomplished its goals: to build an infrastructure enabling junior URM faculty to network with one another as well as with senior investigators, serving as a role model, in a supportive academic environment.