The Enrichment Program

SUMMARY The Columbia University Digestive Disease Research Center (CU-DLDRC) seeks to promote the understanding of digestive disease through a wide range of scientific, educational and training activities for its members and their trainees. The CU-DLDRC Enrichment Program (EP) is designed to provide opportunities for inter- disciplinary and inter-departmental collaboration, training and education and will utilize a rich array of resources in the CU-DLDRC and at Columbia University. Since 2019, the EP, together with the Administrative Core, has arranged over 50 highly attended seminars and two retreats. Through these activities have provided CU-DLDRC members with a central forum to present their data, and engage in exchange with the outside scientific world, in particular other DDRCCs. In addition to featuring prominent speakers, the seminar series and Annual Retreat have also highlighted the work of Pilot and Feasibility Awardees, new investigators and CU-DLDRC trainees. To complement scientific education through hands-on-training on core-related techniques, the EP has started working with biomedical cores for annual workshops and educational seminars that update members on core- related science and technologies. Two additional activities of the EP are a mentoring program for new investigators and Pilot and Feasibility awardees as well as mini-sabbaticals allowing members or trainees from their labs to visit outside DDRCCs with complementary or synergistic methodologies. All above activities will be under the goal of promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the CU-DLDRC. Two scientists with a strong track record in digestive science, administration and DEI will lead the EP: Dr. Jianwen Que, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine, will serve as the EP Director, Dr. Rebecca Haeusler, Associate Professor of Pathology & Cell Biology, as Associate Director and DEI delegate. The directors seek to realize the mission of the EP through the following interrelated Specific Aims: To foster education and a collaborative environment in the CU-DLDRC, the EP will oversee the biweekly seminars series (Aim 1A), an annual retreat (Aim 1B), and biannual symposia for its three organ-focused clinical-basic teams (Aim 1C). To enhance the training of CU-DLDRC members in core- related technologies and core navigation, the EP will organize hands-on workshops and seminars for the Biomedical Cores (Aim 2). To promote the careers of trainees, new investigators, Pilot and Feasibility Awardees and, especially, underrepresented minorities, the EP will provide career and grants development workshops (Aim 3A); oversee a formal mentorship program (Aim 3B); publicize grant and training opportunities (Aim 3C); and promote DEI in the CU-DLDRC through a DEI delegate (Aim 3D). Finally, the EP will increase scientific education and training through mini-sabbaticals and participation in local, regional and national conferences together with other DDRCCs, institutions and organizations (Aim 4). These activities will benefit CU-DLDRC member, synergize with other components of the CU-DLDRC and contribute to its effectiveness.