Research News - September 29, 2017

Effective 1 October, Harry W. Orf, PhD, will assume the role of Research Integrity Officer (RIO) for MGH. The RIO handles inquiries regarding concerns about research misconduct.  Harry succeeds Rick Bringhurst, MD, whom we thank for his many years of service as the MGH RIO.

For all questions concerning research integrity, go to:  http://navigator.partners.org/Pages/Research-Integrity.aspx or contact Harry directly.

Do you want to include a link to your lab or profile page in communications from your lab, but don’t want something long and complicated?

We have implemented a new way to create customized shortcut links that seamlessly redirect users to your page: massgeneral.link/yourpageornamehere

The system is the result of a great suggestion that was submitted through our Isuggest portal by Ed Ryan, MD.

Example:
Dr. Ryan’s original doctor profile link was:
http://www.massgeneral.org/doctors/doctor.aspx?id=16382

Now, Dr. Ryan can provide this simplified address:
http://massgeneral.link/EdRyanMD

To request a shortcut link, please email Brian Burns at bburns4@partners.org.

GraphPad Prism software is offered at considerable savings for researchers through the ERIS Research Computing Core. Both Windows and Mac systems are fully supported. The program combines scientific graphing, comprehensive curve fitting (nonlinear regression), understandable statistics, and data organization into one package. To order, please submit the request form (you must be on the Partners network to log in). This a subscription service that is up for annual renewal on September 1, 2018; there is no prorating.  

Partners has embarked on a strategy to improve the computing experience across the variety of devices used at work to assure productive, clean and stable computers (Windows PCs, Apple Macs, smartphones and tablets). With the recent virus and ransomware attacks, both within our System and Internationally, Partners is accelerating this effort to improve the security of our environment. Visit https://rc.partners.org/cybersecurity-changes for more information, timelines and check back as updates will be made.

Monday, October 2, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, Simches 3.110 with videoconferencing to CNY149, 7th Floor, Isselbacher Auditorium

Meeting Chair: Steven Grinspoon, MD

AGENDA
Annual Conversation with the Research Community – Peter L. Slavin, MD, MGH President

(Lunch available at 11:45 AM)
All MGH Researchers welcome!

Following each Research Council meeting, there will be a Research Resource Room in Simches 3.120, adjacent to the auditorium. Representatives will be on hand to distribute materials and answer your questions from:

• Partners Office for International Professionals & Students (PIPS)
• Center for Faculty Development (CFD)
• Innovation Office
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Enterprise Research Infrastructure & Services (ERIS)
• Center for Comparative Medicine (CCM)
• Research Space Management (RSMG)
• Research Applications Group
• Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC)
• Isuggest
• Partners CTO
• Research Patient Data Registry
• Partners Quality Improvement Program
• Translational and Clinical Research Centers
• Partners eCare Research Core (PeRC)
• Research Safety

Join ORCD and PDD staff for an interactive workshop to learn more about popular tools for career exploration and professional development including the Academic Career Readiness Assessment, the Individual Development Plan and the Annual Career Planning Form.
It's not too early to start thinking about your next steps. Learn how to use these tools to maximize your options, develop your skills, identify transferable skills and prepare for your next move with confidence.
Two sessions will be offered. Please register for the session most convenient for you.

Main Campus Session:
Wednesday, October 11, 2017, 12:00-1:00pm, Main Campus

CNY Campus Session:
Tuesday, October 24, 2017, 12:00-1:00pm, CNY Campus

You may register for the Main Campus Session here and the CNY Campus Session here. Email pdd@partners.org with questions.

Thursday, October 5

The Division of Clinical Research invites you to join us for our 15th annual MGH Clinical Research Day on Thursday, October 5th. The day starts at 8:00am in the O'Keeffe Auditorium and features:

8am – 9am– Keynote Address
Genomic and Precision Medicine: Its time has arrived
Daniel Rader, M.D., Chair, Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

9am – 11am Poster Session I – Individual Submissions
View posters by researchers from across the institution in the Individual Submissions category.

11am – 12pm Panel Discussion
How is Personalized Medicine Impacting Care Now and Shaping Our Future?

12pm – 1pm Poster Session II – Team Submissions
View posters by researchers from across the institution in the Team Submissions category.

The keynote address and panel discussion will be held in the O'Keeffe Auditorium and the poster session will be held under the Bulfinch tents.

Please click here for the MGH Clinical Research Day 2017 Event Schedule.

Thursday, October 5, 2017@ 12:00 PM, MGH East, Building 149, 7th Floor, Isselbacher Auditorium
Will be broadcasted MGH Bulfinch 165

Title: “Loss of Type I IFN Negative Regulation in Humans”.
Speaker: Dusan Bogunovic, PhD. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

(shuttle bus leaves MGH and North Station every 15 minutes)

Contact Person – Fiona Chen (617/726-1527)
http://www.massgeneral.org/ciid/ourseminars/seminarseries.aspx

Wednesday, October 18, 2017, 9:00 – 12:30pm, Garrod Mendel Conference Room

This orientation program will provide Fellows who are completing their clinical year and entering their research years at MGH with an overview of the process of clinical and translational research at MGH. In this course, participants will receive an overview of clinical research at MGH, review the overall architecture of clinical research, and will be introduced to key resources available to clinical/translational investigators at MGH.

This course will be limited to Fellows who are completing their clinical year and entering their research years at MGH.

Please register here: Clinical Research Fellows Orientation Please contact Tiereny Morrison-Rohlfs with any questions.

Tuesday, November 7, 1:00 – 2:00pm, Simches 3.120

Sponsored by the Clinical Research Program and MGH Diabetes Research Center
Marielle Christofi, Clinical Research Coordinator II, Diabetes Research Center

The Diabetes Research Center at MGH has a unique internal auditing program to ensure compliance with Federal Regulations, GCP and Partners Policies. Please join us and learn how the Diabetes Research Center implements an internal auditing program while efficiently conducting multiple studies.  Elyse Raymond and Marielle Christofi will present the following:

•       How auditing tasks are assigned once a new study is initiated
•       What tasks are completed during an internal audit
•       How often internal audits are conducted
•       Mention steps departments can take to implement an internal auditing plan

This course is geared towards research nurses, research assistants, study coordinators, PI's and all other study staff.

Register Here. Contact Cassidy Peters with questions.

Tuesday, November 14, 12:00 - 1:30pm, O’Keefe Auditorium (with live broadcasting to Charlestown, Chelsea and Revere Healthcare Centers)

The Executive Committee on Community Health (ECOCH) & The Mass General Research Institute invite you to attend the 2nd Community Research Symposium.  Presentations will be given by the following:

• Impact of Smoke-free Rules in Public Housing
  • ​Doug Levy, PhD, Mongan Institute Health Policy Center, MGH
  • John Kane, MPP, Boston Housing Authority
     
• Retention in care for HIV Infected Latino Immigrants
  • Julie Levison MD, MPhil, MPH, Division of General Internal Medicine, MGH
  • Carmen Rios, Respite Case Manager, Barbara McInnis House
     
• Cultural Considerations and Health Literacy
  • Nancy Morris, PhD, ANP, UMass Medical School Graduate School of Nursing
  • Chioma Nnaji, MEd, MPH, Africans for Improved Access-Multicultural AIDS Coalition
     
• Mental Health and Cancer Care
  • Kelly Irwin, MD, MPH, Psychiatry & the MGH Cancer Center
  • Ben Macri, NP, North Suffolk Mental Health

Registration is required for this event.  Please click here to register (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CommunityHealthcareSymposiumRSVP)

March 23 - 26, 2018, Cold Spring Harbor, NY

Application Deadline: January 31, 2018

Instructors:
Carl M. Cohen, Workshop Director 
Suzanne L. Cohen, Workshop Co-Facilitator
Marquita M. Qualls, Guest Instructor
See the roll of honor - who's taken the course in the past 

This is a highly interactive 3.5 day workshop in which you will develop the skills necessary to lead and interact effectively with others, in both one-on-one and group settings. The workshop will focus on techniques, situations, and challenges that relate specifically to leading and managing in the scientific workplace. It will emphasize learning by doing and will involve role playing, giving and receiving feedback, and group problem solving. Much of the learning will be peer-to-peer. Participants will be expected to discuss their own experiences and listen to others as they discuss theirs.

The workshop will help participants identify areas where they need guidance and growth, as well as how to capitalize on areas of strength. Participants will have the opportunity to share their experiences and challenges with others and to receive feedback and guidance from others with experience in leading scientists in a variety of settings. At the end of the course, participants will be linked through a unique on-line community in which they can continue learning from one another and from the course instructors.

Key focus areas of the workshop will include:

• Recognizing and understanding leadership in a science setting
• Using negotiation as a tool in scientific discussions and problem solving
• Identifying and resolving conflicts in the lab
• Dealing with difficult people and situations
• Communicating your ideas and plans in a way that engages others
• Leading effective and productive meetings
• Becoming effective citizen scientists

For more information, please click here. If you are planning to attend this workshop, please let us know at ecor@mgh.harvard.edu.

Applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the MGH Research Scholars Program

What is it?
The Massachusetts General Hospital Research Scholars Program was established with the aim of supporting MGH research faculty who are pursuing either fundamental (basic) or clinical research at the level of Assistant, Associate or Full Professor.  The intent of these awards is to support the careers of outstanding MGH investigators doing cutting-edge research that is highly innovative and expected to result in fundamental scientific discoveries and/or clinical applications.  This year, we are asking applicants to choose one of three categories based on the research proposed in the application: Clinical research, Fundamental research, or Population and healthcare research.

How much is each award?
These awards are for $500,000 over 5 years; and will be funded at $100,000 per year, including 15% indirect costs.

When is the deadline?
Thursday, October 12, 2017 – 5:00 PM

How do I learn more and apply?

• Click here to read more and apply online.
• Click here to see a list of past recipients.

Applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the Tosteson and Fund for Medical Discovery (FMD) Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards!

What is it?
The Tosteson & FMD Awards are intended to support junior investigators (MD and PhD Research Fellows/Clinical Research Fellows) at Massachusetts General Hospital pursuing either fundamental (basic) or clinical research.  

The ECOR Subcommittee on Review of Research Proposals (SRRP) reviews the applications and selects the awardees. The top three applicants will receive Tosteson Awards - named for the longtime Dean of the Harvard Faculty of Medicine - and the remaining awardees receive FMD awards.

How much is each award?
The awards will include a stipend of $47,500 plus applicable fringe benefits and 15% indirect costs.

When is the deadline?
Monday, October 2, 2017 - 5:00 PM

How do I learn more and apply?

• Click here to read more and apply online.
• Visit the Tosteson and Fund for Medical Discovery page on the ECOR website here.

Applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the MGH Howard M. Goodman Fellowship
What is it?
This is an endowed fellowship established by the MGH Department of Molecular Biology in honor of the founding Chief of the Department, Dr. Howard M. Goodman. The award is intended to further the careers of outstanding independent young scientists, who would normally hold the position of Assistant Professor, and have demonstrated the potential to rise to a leadership position in their chosen field. Applicants who hold a full-time appointment in any MGH Department and are primarily engaged in research, are eligible to apply.

How much is the award?
The award is for two years at $150,000, plus 15% indirect costs, per year and is effective April 1, 2018.  

When is the deadline?
Wednesday, October 25, 2017 – 5:00 PM

How do I learn more and apply?

• Click here to read more and apply online.
• Click here to see a list of past recipients.
• Visit the ECOR website for other funding opportunities.

Applications are now being accepted by the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) for the
Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards!

What are the Claflin Awards?
Although women scientists are recruited to Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) programs, their advancement to senior faculty positions is still far less frequent than that of their male counterparts.  In 1993, The Women in Academic Medicine Committee, originally chaired by Mrs. R. Morton Claflin, Honorary Trustee, was established to facilitate the academic careers of women in science at MGH.  Recognizing that a significant obstacle to career advancement is the difficulty of maintaining research productivity during the child-rearing years, this Committee, with the sponsorship of the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR), established the Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards.  It is intended that this funding will increase opportunities for women to advance to senior positions in academic medicine.

How much is each award?
These are two year awards for $50,000 per year in direct costs, plus 15% for indirect costs.

When is the deadline?
Wednesday, October 11, 2017 - 5:00 PM

How do I learn more and apply?
Click here to read more and apply online!

The Wellman Center for Photomedicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital is pleased to invite applications for the Bullock postdoctoral fellowship for research aimed at understanding and solving important biomedical problems. PhD, MD and MD PhD research fellows are eligible for this award.
This multidisciplinary fellowship was created to foster interactions between researchers from diverse fields of science and medicine. Combined mentorship and collaboration between two Harvard Medical School faculty members, at least one of whom is based at the Wellman Center, is required. An external collaborator is preferred. It is anticipated that the fellow will perform most their research at the Wellman Center. For additional information regarding the Wellman Center please visit http://www.massgeneral.org/wellman/

The Fellowship will provide one year of support. An award of up to $60,000 direct costs is anticipated. The award will be administered by the Wellman Center. Funds may be used for stipend (minimum effort 60%), fringe benefits and research supplies.  Recipients will be required to submit periodic progress reports, present their work at a noon lecture and submit a final written report

Criteria for funding are scientific quality, an enabling collaboration that might not occur otherwise, potential medical and scientific impact, and career development of the Fellow. 
Eligibility and other award information can be found by clicking here. 
Proposal deadline:  5:00 pm – November 1, 2017
 Award decision:  December 22, 2017

We ask that all MGH Investigators interested in applying for any limited submission award submit a Letter of Intent (see detailed instructions below) to the MGH Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) by the deadline indicated for each award to be considered to receive an institutional nomination.

Process
Submit a one- to two-page Letter of Intent (LOI) to the MGH Executive Committee on Research (ECOR) via email to ecor@partners.org.  In addition to your LOI, please include an NIH Biosketch.

The letter of intent should include:

• Name of the Principal Investigator with appropriate contact information
• A descriptive title of the potential application
• Brief description of the project
• Brief description of why you specifically should be selected to receive institutional nomination for this award

If there is more than one MGH investigator interested in applying for each limited submission award, the LOIs will be used to assess candidates and a review and selection process will take place.

Current Limited Submission Funding Opportunities
Please click here for more information and for our internal deadlines.

• Population Dynamics Centers Research Infrastructure Program FY 2018 (P2C)
• Dr. Ernest J. Ring Academic Development Grant (SIR Foundation)

If there is a limited submission funding opportunity you do not see listed below or you have any additional questions, please let us know at ecor@mgh.harvard.edu.

Please note that any grant that brings in less than 15% in indirect costs (IDC) will need to be supplemented up to the 15% equivalent by existing investigator or departmental sundry funds. Resolution of this issue must occur prior to submission of the award.

Please contact Corporate & Foundation Relations in the Office of Development at devcfr@mgh.harvard.edu if you wish to submit a proposal in response to any of these funding opportunities.  Note that proposals are still routed through the standard InfoEd/Research Management process.

Week of 9/29/17

• Global Clinical Trials Fund, Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK)
• Target Validation Pathfinder Grant, Alzheimer's Research UK (ARUK)
• Clinical Investigations Research Grants, American Otological Society (AOS)
• ARRS/Leonard Berlin Scholarship in Medical Professionalism, American Roentgen Ray Society (ARRS)/Roentgen Fund
• Research Grants, British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC)
• Research Grants, Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria Foundation (OHF)
• TSA Research Grant and Fellowship Program, Tourette Association of America
• Grants, Weil Foundation 

Tosteson & Fund for Medical Discovery (FMD) Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards
Application Deadline: October 2

MGH ECOR Formulaic Bridge Funding Support
Application Deadline: October 7, 2017; 7th day of each month

MGH Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards
Application Deadline: October 11

MGH Research Scholars Program
Application Deadline: October 12

The Football Players Health Study
Application Deadline: October 13

Pfizer Centers for Therapeutic Innovation Fall 2017
Application Deadline: October 13

HMS Foundation Funds
Application Deadline: October 16

Howard M. Goodman Fellowship 2018
Application Deadline: October 25

Bullock Postdoctoral Fellowship
Application Deadline: November 1, 2017

Boston Biomedical Innovation Center (B-BIC) Accepting PILOT & DRIVE Grant Pre-Proposals

Technical Training Session on ClinicalTrials.gov Registration and Results Reporting – October 10
Clinical Research Billing from Study Start to Completion – October 12