This workshop series is designed to provide researchers with the skills they need to succeed in academic medicine. Traditional skills like manuscript and grant writing will be discussed, as well as addressing lab/research team management, people skills, navigating research administration, and other topics not covered in professional school. It is suggested to consider this series as a curriculum where each session builds on previous ones, but faculty are also welcome to attended individual sessions as well.
Upcoming
New NIH Review Process
Wednesday, August 12 from noon-1:15 p.m. via Zoom, Register
In this interactive session, attendees will gain an insider’s perspective on the updated NIH grant review process from School of Medicine faculty with direct study section experience. The session will begin with a concise overview of NIH study section structure, review processes, and scoring systems to provide participants with a clear understanding of how applications are evaluated. Panelists will highlight recent changes to review criteria, explain how these shifts are influencing reviewer perspectives, and share practical insights into the second level of review—shedding light on how it shapes both study section discussions and final funding decisions.
Panelists:
Lawrence Boise, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology. His research focuses on the basic mechanisms of apoptosis and translating these studies to better define the mechanism(s) of action therapeutic agents in multiple myeloma. Dr. Boise has served on the NIH CAMP study section (2005–2009) and NCI-I study section reviewing K99 and K22 awards (2013–2017), and continues to regularly participate as an ad hoc reviewer for a wide range of NIH mechanisms including R01, T32, R25, R03, R21, P01, P50, and K awards, with prior experience chairing study sections.
Molly Perkins, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Medicine in the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology. Dr. Perkins is a social gerontologist and medical sociologist with research interests in social determinants of health and disparities, aging in minority and vulnerable populations, functional wellness, and long-term care. Dr. Perkins brings extensive NIH review and collaborative leadership experience through roles as co-director of the Emory NIH Roybal Center for Dementia Caregiving Mastery and the national Inter-CFAR HIV and Aging Working Group, alongside service as an NIH ad hoc reviewer and current standing member of the Community Influences on Health Behavior study section (now Community & Place-Based Determinants of Health), with additional participation on multiple NIH Special Emphasis Panels since 2023.
Christopher Scharer, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology. His research focuses on the epigenetic and genetic processes that regulate the molecular programming of immune cells and provides mechanisms to maintain new cell fates. Dr. Schaer has served as an NIH Adaptive Immunology Study Section member since 2024 (previously as an ad hoc reviewer beginning in 2020) and has additional leadership and review experience with the Department of Defense CDMRP Lupus Research Program, including serving as Chair, as well as current membership on CPRIT Cancer Biology and Lupus Research Alliance review panels.
Richard Wainford, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology. His laboratory utilizes an integrated physiological, pharmacological, molecular, and gene-targeting approach to investigate the anti-hypertensive role(s) of central Gai2-subunit proteins in the endogenous G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-activated pathways that regulate central sympathetic outflow, fluid and electrolyte homeostasis, and systemic blood pressure regulation in salt-resistant and salt-sensitive animal models. Dr. Wainford has extensive national and international peer review experience spanning NIH, American Heart Association, Veterans Affairs, and global funding agencies, including long-standing service on vascular biology, cardio-renal, aging, and hematology study sections, with multiple leadership roles as chair and standing member for major NIH and AHA review panels from 2012–2026.
Previous
From the Audience
“This was seriously the best and most comprehensive talk that I have ever seen on grant management and really think our department would benefit from hearing this on a more frequent basis. It was awesome.” – Zanthia Wiley, Department of Medicine
Bonus: New NIH focus areas – Kimberly Eck, MPH, PhD (Associate Vice President for Research, Office of Senior Vice President for Research)
From the Audience
“Many thanks to the panelists. I learnt a great deal and am certain others found the information equally helpful and energizing, all while grounded in the reality of the moment.”– Saria Hassan, Department of Medicine