Megha Sharma, M.D. M.S., found the perfect way to increase her clinical and translational science skills and help advance her research career. She received a scholarship that provided protected time so she could earn a UAMS Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Sciences (MS-CTS) degree.
Sharma, an assistant professor in the College of Medicine Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, earned the degree in 2023. She was able to leverage her expanded skillset to secure a prestigious KL2 Mentored Research Career Development Scholar Award and the Marion B. Lyon Revocable Trust New Scientist Development Award offered by the Arkansas Children’s Research Institute.
“I had a fantastic experience in the master’s program,” she said. “I learned to apply what I learned through advanced biostatistics, bioinformatics, epidemiology, and clinical trial design to write a competitive grant application. With guidance from experienced mentors, this experience also helped me develop the art and science of asking the right research question and enriched my understanding of rigorous scientific methods.”
The MS-CTS program is offered by the UAMS Graduate School. Scholars’ protected time is secured by the Translational Research Institute (TRI) with support from the individual scholar’s department.
The MS-CTS program serves as a feeder program to TRI’s KL2 program as well as other early-career development K awards. (TRI’s KL2 program is transitioning to the K12 program this year, offering the same benefits to its scholars.)
Jenny Rumpel, M.D., another MS-CTS scholarship recipient and graduate of the program, received a KL2 in 2022 and has applied for an NIH K23 Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award.
The master’s program, she said, helped her develop skills that will be invaluable to her career.
“It broadened my understanding of the possibilities in clinical research design through collaboration with researchers from other departments,” said Rumpel, an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics. “I loved that there was strong focus on grant writing skills right as I walked into the program.”
She said the program has also been invaluable for getting to know other TRI-supported researchers and finding prospective research mentors.
“I have met some great new friends,” Rumpel said.
Learn more here about the MS-CTS Scholarship Program and view the 2024 application form.