Current RTOP awardee 2025-2026
Overview
The Professional Development (PD) Core strengthens the clinical and translational research workforce through training, mentorship, and career development across all career stages. It supports investigators, research staff, clinicians, and community partners by addressing gaps in research skills, grantsmanship, and scientific communication, while promoting productivity, collaboration, and progression to independent funding.
Core objectives
- Strengthen infrastructure and workforce capacity through targeted training and skill development in clinical and translational research
- Develop a robust investigator pipeline through structured mentorship and career development programs
- Improve community health through targeted training that empowers providers and community members to lead research on local health priorities
The overall objective of the PD Core is to strengthen the clinical and translational research workforce by delivering high-quality, accessible training, mentorship, and career development opportunities that support investigators across all career stages. Through an integrated and collaborative framework, the PD Core promotes the progression from trainee to independent investigator by enhancing core research competencies, supporting grantsmanship and scientific communication, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. By aligning training with funding opportunities and leveraging partnerships across the CTR-Network and beyond, the PD Core advances investigator productivity, expands engagement among clinicians and community partners, and ensures a sustainable, well-prepared workforce capable of addressing priority health challenges.
Services
Services are offered on an ongoing, year-round basis and are supported through a combination of institutional and grant funding, depending on the specific service provided. The primary purpose of these services is to enhance research productivity, strengthen grant competitiveness, and support effective scientific dissemination. These resources are available to investigators and research staff at all career stages, from early-stage researchers and clinical fellows to established investigators.
- Editorial and Scientific Writing Support.Assistance with grant proposals, manuscripts, abstracts, and other scientific products through the Scientific Writing Unit.
- Grant Development & Review Support.Mock study sections, grant writing guidance, and structured feedback for NIH-style submissions.
- Tailored investigator Support Services.Assistance for awardees, candidates, and unfunded applicants (e.g., biosketches, career development plans, resubmissions).
- Research Navigation for Professional Development.
Seminars, workshops, and certificates
Our training programs are designed to strengthen essential competencies in clinical and translational research while supporting investigators at every stage of their careers. These offerings combine practical skill-building with structured guidance to enhance scientific productivity, competitiveness, and impact.
- Training activities. Educational and professional development opportunities sponsored or co-sponsored by the Alliance to strengthen the clinical and translational research workforce across the full research spectrum, from basic science (T0) to community health (T4). Learn more and access available training opportunities in the Alliance Training Calendar.
- NIH self-paced courses. Free online training opportunities offered by the NIH Office of Clinical Research Education and Collaboration Outreach, including: (1) Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research, (2) Principles of Clinical Pharmacology, and (3) Ethical and Regulatory Aspects of Clinical Research. Additional opportunities are also available through the NIH Health Disparities Research Institute. Access them in the NIH Online s
- Grant Writing Webinar Series (GWWS) Certificate. Focused training on developing competitive research proposals, emphasizing scientific merit, rigor, and clarity in research plan sections while minimizing the influence of reputation in the review process. The 3-hour GWWS Certificate Program is offered once per semester and consists of two parts. Please refer to the Alliance Training Calendar for upcoming dates and registration information.
- Scientific Communication in Clinical and Translational Research Certificate. This 54-hour certificate program provides hands-on support for manuscript development and preparation for peer-reviewed publication, strengthening effective scientific communication. The certificate is offered annually, with sessions typically running from October through April or May. Please refer to the Alliance Training Calendar for upcoming dates and registration information.
Additional Advanced Research Skills Training. Seminars and workshops in Basic Epidemiology, Research Methods and Design, and Bioinformatics, covering study design, data collection, and advanced analytical approaches to support rigorous, data-driven clinical and translational research. These training opportunities will be available soon.
Laboratory Training Program Awards
In collaboration with the Clinical and Technological Research Resources (CTRR) Core, the PD Core enhances the competitiveness of investigators by coordinating training in laboratory techniques.
- Research Training Opportunity Program (RTOP)
- Purpose:Provides a two-stage technology transfer experience to equip investigators with emerging and innovative laboratory technologies skills and support the local implementation of advanced methodologies. Funding available up to $8,000.
- Eligibility:Faculty members and early- to mid-stage investigators affiliated with Alliance participating institutions
- Meet the RTOP awardees
Luz Silva-Torres, PhD
UPR Medical Sciences Campus, School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology
Laboratory technology: Training in the implementation and interpretation of human-centered genome-wide analyses, including: 1. RNA sequencing using human cell-derived samples; 2. Genome-wide methylation profiling; 3. Epigenetic pathway analysis related to substance use. This will include experimental setup, sample preparation, sequencing workflows, and bioinformatic interpretation.
Host laboratory: Department of Psychiatry, Division of Human Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT and National Center for PTSD, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, Orange, CT
Click here to view past RTOP awardees (Table with the full name, credentials, institution, period awarded, emerging laboratory technique and host laboratory)
- Early-stage Career Investigator Development Program (ESCID)
- Purpose:Support investigators by providing access to laboratory facilities, and support for laboratory materials. Funding available for up to $3,000.
- Eligibility:Faculty members and early-stage investigators affiliated with Alliance participating institutions
Current ESCID awardee 2025-2026
Eduardo Alvarez-Rivera, PhD
Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Research area: Cytotoxic and Mechanistic Effects of PSP in Glioblastoma Cells
Click here to view past ESCID awardees (Table with the full name, credentials, institution, period awarded, and research area)
Investigator Development Pipeline Program (IDPP)
The IDPP is a comprehensive workforce development initiative designed to strengthen the clinical & translational research pipeline in Puerto Rico. The IDPP supports faculty members and researchers at every stage. Through the IDPP, participants will gain access to tools, mentorship, and resources tailored to help them achieve research independence and beyond.
Note: For Alliance purposes, eligible investigators will also be classified within the IDPP as follows:
IDPP Stage 1: Investigator who has never led as Principal Investigator (PI) a funded research project.
IDPP Stage 2: PI of an externally funded project that is a non-NIH research project.
IDPP Stage 3: PI of an NIH-funded research project (e.g., R00, R03, R16, R21) or an NIH career development award (e.g., K-series).
Final stage: Independent Investigator (e.g., R01 or equivalent).
- Mentor Training & Certification Programs
- Purpose:Foster the continuous development and recognition of effective mentorship competencies among investigators, strengthening mentoring relationships and enhancing the quality, productivity, and impact of research outcomes.
- Eligibility:Investigators at different research stages.
- Mentor-Mentee Teams (MMT) Program
- Purpose: Support career development, obtain external funding, and research independence by pairing investigators with experienced mentors to provide guidance, collaboration, and structured professional growth. Funding available to cover up to 75% of the mentee’s time and effort.
- Eligibility:Early-stage or mid-career investigators affiliated with Alliance participating institutions.
Current MMT awarded 2026-2028
Mentee: Tiffany J. Rios-Fuller, PhD
Ponce Health Sciences University, Department of Basic Sciences/Biochemistry
Research area: Breast Cancer
Main goal: Generate preliminary data and publications to support future NIH funding, including an NIH R21 and R01 applications focused on translational control mechanisms in aggressive breast cancer.
Mentor: Harold Saavedra, PhD
Ponce Health Sciences University, Department of Basic Sciences/Biochemistry
Research area: Cancer Biology, with a focus on Breast Cancer
Click here to view past MMT awardees (Table with the full name of mentees/mentors, credentials, institution, period awarded, research projects and main outcomes)
- K and R Ambassadors Cohorts
- Purpose: Prepare investigators for NIH funding success through guided grant writing support and mock study section experiences.
- Eligibility:Investigators at different research stages. A call will be announced once a year.
- Mock Study Sections
- Purpose: Prepare investigators for NIH-style peer review by providing structured mock review sessions that offer expert feedback to strengthen K and R grant proposals.
- Eligibility:Investigators at different research stages.
Community-focused initiatives
In collaboration with the Alliance PR-GROW Network and the CEO and CTRR Cores, the PD Core seeks to empower healthcare providers, members from varied communities, and community researchers with the tools and resources necessary to address the specific needs of the population we serve.
- Community Tailored Training
- Purpose: Advance the skills of clinician-scientists and community-based professionals by promoting participation in tailored training opportunities, including NIH courses, self-paced certifications, and specialized programs such as GROW Learning Together.
Eligibility: Healthcare providers, members from varied communities and community researchers.
- Sign Language Training Program
- Purpose: To educate members and professionals at communities on Deaf culture and legal protections in medical settings, equipping them with communication skills for participant recruitment and informed consent.
- Eligibility: Healthcare providers, members from varied communities, and community researchers.
- Clinical Trials Academy
- Purpose: Support community-based clinical scientists and individuals who are new or have limited experience in clinical research.
- Eligibility: Community healthcare providers.
Scientific Dissemination & Networking
All activities are designed to enhance the visibility, accessibility, and impact of research while fostering meaningful collaborations across sectors. These efforts include the development of a coordinated Communication Plan and the creation of plain language materials that translate complex research findings for community, academic, and clinical audiences. Complementing these initiatives, the Annual Scientific Day brings together investigators, trainees, and partners to share research through presentations and discussions, promoting networking, knowledge exchange, and interdisciplinary collaboration that advances clinical and translational science.
- Annual Scientific Day
This event brings together investigators, trainees, and partners to foster meaningful networking and disseminate research findings. Through poster presentations, expert-led sessions, and interactive discussions, participants have the opportunity to share their work, exchange ideas, and build cross-disciplinary collaborations. This event strengthens the research community by promoting visibility of ongoing projects and facilitating connections that advance clinical and translational research.
Snapshot of the 15th Scientific Day, May 6, 2026
Summary
Slideshow or collage of pictures of past scientific days
- Community-Centered Scientific Dissemination
Through collaboration with the Communication Unit and Alliance Cores, this initiative supports the development of plain language materials and coordinated dissemination strategies that translate complex scientific information into clear, practical content for communities, healthcare providers, and academic partners, ultimately enhancing science literacy and broadening research impact.