The Triological Society (TRIO) has been awarded an R25 grant from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) to establish the Neely National Clinician–Scientist Mentorship Network. This program aims to cultivate the next generation of otolaryngologist–scientists through comprehensive mentorship, training, and networking opportunities. It will be the first national mentorship network for otolaryngologist–scientists.
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November 2024“This network will allow those faculty who want to do research to add an extra dimension to their career,” said Jay F. Piccirillo, MD, professor of otolaryngology at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and co-principal investigator on the grant. “It’s a privilege to take care of people, but conducting research to identify new facts we didn’t know before and teach medical students and residents—that’s a real privilege too.”
The $206,730 grant will support a nationwide infrastructure to connect early-career otolaryngologists interested in research careers with established NIH-funded mentors. By combining multiple virtual and in-person meetings, the program seeks to break down barriers and provide guidance to aspiring clinician-scientists, which will be particularly useful for those at institutions with limited research resources.
Otolaryngology has historically had a relatively small cohort of physician-scientists compared to some other specialties due to the length of surgical training, limited exposure to research methodology, and lack of mentors at many institutions. “Few otolaryngologists have been successful as surgeon–scientists—that was the need for the R25 mentoring grant,” Dr. Piccirillo said. The program intends to expand and diversify the pool of otolaryngologist–researchers by providing structured support and guidance. The network will target two groups: early-stage investigators who have not yet submitted their first NIH grant as principal investigator, including residents, fellows, and new faculty, and mid-career researchers with introductory NIH funding (typically K08 or K23 grants) who are working to transition to independent R01 funding.
At the heart of the program is a large cadre of successful NIH-funded otolaryngologist–scientists who have volunteered to serve as mentors. “We have a large collection of otolaryngologist–scientists from TRIO who are mentors in the Neely network and available for mentees that need advice,” said Shawn D. Newlands, MD, PhD, MBA, chair of otolaryngology at the University of Rochester Medicine in Rochester, N.Y., and co-principal investigator.
By nurturing the next generation of researcher–clinicians, the Society hopes to see more otolaryngologists complete the research thesis required for membership, strengthening the academic foundation of the specialty as a whole.” — Bradley J. Goldstein, MD, PhD
The network will facilitate mentor–mentee matching based on research interests and career goals. Mentees will participate in a structured two-year program that includes three in-person meetings annually, eight virtual meetings per year, one-on-one mentoring sessions, mock grant reviews, and online educational modules on clinical research methodology.
“We’ll have topics related to mentoring, writing grants, and the time management skills needed to be successful at being a clinician–scientist, as examples,” Dr. Newlands said. “It’s not about scientific mentorship, but rather a mentorship on how to manage the job of being a clinician–scientist. While otolaryngologists receive excellent clinical training, navigating the complexities of a research career—from grant writing to time management—can be challenging without guidance from experienced mentors.”
A key aspect of the program is its use of videoconferencing and other digital technologies to connect mentees with mentors across the country. This approach seeks to support otolaryngologists at smaller programs or geographically isolated institutions who may lack local mentors in their specific research area. “Through Zoom and other communication tools, we are hopeful that faculty at less research-intense institutions will have access to mentors and facilities to do research without having to move,” Dr. Piccirillo said. The program will also develop online “micro-courses” covering fundamental topics in clinical research methodology and statistics. These training modules will provide flexible, on-demand opportunities for busy clinicians. By making these resources easily accessible, the program means to lower barriers to entry for otolaryngologists interested in pursuing research.
The roots of this initiative trace back to 2014 when the late Dr. Gail Neely of Washington University kicked off efforts to support clinician-scientists in otolaryngology through informal mentorship gatherings at TRIO meetings. “Dr. Neely really had the vision for this, and his untimely passing left a void,” Dr. Piccirillo said. “Dr. Shawn Newlands at the University of Rochester liked the idea very much, took the momentum from Dr. Neely, and ran with it, turning it into a successful grant application.”
TRIO chose to name the program after Dr. Neely in recognition of his role in conceptualizing the mentorship network. His vision of expanding support for otolaryngologist–researchers, particularly at institutions with less research infrastructure, remains central to the program’s mission. While Dr. Newlands and Dr. Piccirillo serve as co-principal investigators, the program benefits from a diverse leadership team. Bradley J. Goldstein, MD, PhD, professor of otolaryngology at Duke Health in Durham, N.C., and TRIO’s research coordinator, will help oversee the mentoring team. Dana M. Thompson, MD, MS, MBA, division head of otorhinolaryngology–head and neck surgery at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and TRIO’s assistant executive vice president, plays a key role in recruitment and inclusion efforts. Her remit is to ensure the program attracts a diverse cohort of mentees and mentors reflecting the full breadth of the specialty.
The enthusiasm from potential mentors has been overwhelming. “Out of 57 Triological Society members who have NIH grants, 53 have agreed to be mentors,” Dr. Newlands said. “The others did not reply, but no one said they were not interested.” This mentor pool will allow mentees to connect with experienced researchers across the full spectrum of otolaryngology subspecialties and research methodologies.
One of the program’s strengths lies in the diversity of research interests among its mentors. From basic science investigations to clinical trials and health services research, mentees will have access to guidance across the full spectrum of otolaryngology research. This scope of expertise enables aspiring researchers to find mentors aligned with their specific interests and career goals. As the program launches, the leadership team is focused on building the infrastructure to support the network. A full-time administrator based at the University of Rochester will coordinate activities in partnership with TRIO staff. The team is currently working on finalizing the mentor pool and creating searchable online profiles to facilitate mentor-mentee matching. They are also recruiting the first cohort of mentees and developing the curriculum for both in-person and virtual meetings. The creation of online educational modules is underway, and the team is establishing evaluation metrics to track program outcomes. One of the key challenges will be balancing the diverse needs of mentees at different career stages and from various institutional backgrounds. The program intends to provide tailored support, recognizing that the needs of a resident just beginning to explore research may differ significantly from those of a junior faculty member working to secure their first
R01 grant.
While the immediate goal is to support individual researchers, the long-term vision is to strengthen the entire pipeline of clinician-scientists in otolaryngology. By fostering a culture of mentorship and providing structured career development support, the program’s goal is to increase the number of otolaryngologists successfully competing for NIH funding. “We’re hopeful this is a real change in the way that academic otolaryngology and otolaryngology specialty societies are going to help sponsor research—something really new and different,” Dr. Piccirillo said.
For TRIO, the program aligns closely with its mission of promoting scholarship in the field, according to Dr. Goldstein. “By nurturing the next generation of researcher–clinicians, the Society hopes to see more otolaryngologists complete the research thesis required for membership, strengthening the academic foundation of the specialty as a whole.”
The program also has the potential to impact patient care by accelerating the translation of research findings into clinical practice. As more otolaryngologists engage in high-quality research, the specialty may see an increase in evidence-based innovations that directly improve patient outcomes. Moreover, by supporting researchers at a wide range of institutions—not just traditional academic powerhouses—the program could help democratize research in otolaryngology. “This broader base of researchers could lead to more diverse research questions being explored, potentially addressing understudied areas or populations,” Dr. Goldstein said.
As the Neely National Clinician–Scientist Mentorship Network takes shape, it could play a transformative role in cultivating scientific leaders in otolaryngology. “By breaking down geographic barriers, providing structured support, and leveraging the expertise of established researchers, the program offers a promising model for expanding the ranks of otolaryngologist–scientists equipped to drive innovation in patient care,” Dr. Goldstein said.
Those interested in joining the first mentee group in January should contact Dr. Newlands at shawn_newlands@urmc.rochester.edu.
Renée Bacher is a freelance medical writer based in Louisiana.