The ACTRI Clinical Research Enhancement through Supplemental Training (CREST) program, under the direction of Ravindra L. Mehta, MD, is designed to improve the skills and knowledge of clinician investigators and translational researchers by providing a comprehensive, cohesive learning experience in an environment that promotes interaction between basic scientists and clinical researchers.

The ACTRI K12 Program at UC San Diego is a mentored career development award funded by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS). Designed for early-career faculty, the program provides up to three years of protected time for mentored research, grant writing, and career development, including coursework through ACTRI’s Clinical Research Enhancement through Supplemental Training (CREST) program. Scholars benefit from tailored mentorship and access to ACTRI’s robust translational research infrastructure. Alumni of the program have been highly successful in securing independent NIH funding (e.g., R01 awards) or transitioning to individual mentored K awards. The program aims to develop the next generation of translational scientists capable of accelerating the movement of research discoveries into clinical and community health settings, and is a core component of ACTRI’s Workforce Development Program, which supports CTS training across all career stages.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE K12 GRANT PROGRAM

Effective mentoring is crucial to translational research. Below are key mentorship and career development resources at UC San Diego and beyond. 

Individual Development Plan (IDP) & Mentor Compact 

An Individual Development Plan (IDP) is recommended for all graduate students, postdocs, junior faculty, and research staff. NIH requires IDPs for funded trainees, and UC San Diego encourages their use. A Mentor Compact helps set clear expectations—access our modified mentor compact to tailor it to your mentorship needs. 

Mentoring

• Faculty Mentoring Program – Roles & responsibilities of mentors and mentees. 
  • For general information about UC San Diego's faculty mentoring program, including roles and responsibilities of mentors and mentees, please visit Academic Affairs. 

• UC San Diego Health Sciences National Center of Leadership in Academic Medicine (NCLAM) – A UCSD seven-month career development program for junior Health Sciences faculty. 

• The UC San Diego Clinical Research Enhancement through Supplemental Training (CREST) and Master of Advanced Studies in Clinical Research (MAS) – Clinical research training for faculty involvement as trainees, mentors, or lecturers. Contact Maureen Eijsermans for details. 

• Postdoc Resources – UC San Diego Office of Postdoctoral and Visiting Scholar Affairs offers IDP guidance and mentoring support. 
• Career Connection – A free program for UC San Diego staff focused on career growth.
• Research Coordinator & Administrator Training (RCAT) – Monthly training on research compliance and best practices. 
  • Please contact the UC San Diego Health Science Research Compliance Program for more information. 

• NIH Guide  to Selecting a Research Mentor – Best practices for finding the right mentor. 
• Faculty Mentor Program  – Helps UC San Diego undergraduates secure research positions and present at the annual symposium. Contact Jessica Davis (jjd010@ucsd.edu). 

UC San Diego ACTRI Education, Training, and Career Development Program – Provides consultations on integrating mentoring into training grants.

• University of Wisconsin-Madison – Entering Mentoring seminar and mentoring guides. 
  • Entering Mentoring: A Seminar to Train a New Generation of Scientists - geared toward mentors who wish to improve their skills. 
  • Resources for Each Phase of the Mentoring Relationship, - has links to information for both mentors and mentees. 

• UCSF Clinical & Translational Science Institute – Free Mentor Development Program seminar and provides course materials for various aspects of mentorship are available free to the public. 

Translational Science Career Development Seminar Series

A monthly series covering scientific communication, career planning, and research skills. Open to Early Career K awardees from UC San Diego and partner institutions. 

Past Seminar Videos 

Watch recorded sessions on the ACTRI YouTube Channel:  

• Publishing From The Editor's Perspective   

• Responding to Reviewers' Criticisms   

• Manuscript Construction   

• Biostatistics   

• Grant Writing   

• How to Tell a Story (lectures, papers, grant applications) 

The CRC Training Program provides a solid foundation for the roles and responsibilities of a clinical research coordinator. No prior experience is needed. Students will learn how to conduct clinical research. Students will be introduced to different types of human research studies.

Anticipating a call for CRC applications but timing is to be determined.

The CreAting Dedicated Scientists through Research Education (CADRE) program is an initiative led by the UC San Diego Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute (ACTRI) to provide research immersion opportunities for community college students in San Diego County. CADRE supports students in science, offering hands-on experience in translational research, financial assistance, and faculty mentorship. Partnering with San Diego Mesa community colleges and UC San Diego, the program empowers students to balance work and research, addressing challenges to participation while preparing them for scientific careers.

Through paid research positions, mentorship, and specialized training like the Clinical Coordinator Bootcamp, CADRE equips students with practical skills and professional development. Participants gain access to ACTRI’s resources, including vouchers for biostatistics consultations and other project support services. The program’s outcomes are transformative, with students pursuing advanced degrees, securing research positions, and contributing to science. CADRE exemplifies how education and mentorship can cultivate the next generation of scientific leaders.

What is Good Clinical Practice?

NIH issued a policy, effective January 1, 2017, establishing the requirement that all investigators and staff involved in the conduct, oversight, or management of NIH funded clinical trials must be trained in Good Clinical Practice (GCP). 

GCP is an internationally recognized ethical and scientific quality standard for designing, conducting, recording, and reporting clinical trials that involve human participants. GCP ensures that the rights, safety, and well-being of trial participants are protected, consistent with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki, and that the data generated in the trial is credible and reliable.

Why GCP is Important

• Participant Safety: It ensures the rights and well-being of participants are safeguarded.
• Data Quality: It guarantees the reliability and integrity of data, facilitating regulatory approval of new therapies.
• Global Standardization: GCP harmonizes clinical trial processes across different countries, allowing for international collaboration and recognition of research findings.

Learn about UCSD's GCP policy and access GCP resources (UCSD AD login required)