A Cohort Model for Enhancing Diversity and Inclusion of Principal Investigators in the NIH Intramural Research Program
Overview
The NIH Distinguished Scholars Program (DSP) aims to build a more inclusive community within the NIH Intramural Research Program by reducing the barriers to the recruitment and success of principal investigators from groups underrepresented in biomedical research. These groups include, but are not limited to, Blacks or African-Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, individuals with disabilities, individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, and women.
The program intends to recruit a cohort of up to 15 investigators from diverse backgrounds each year and to provide the investigators with mentoring and other professional development activities that foster research and career success.
Selection for the program is competitive and is prestigious recognition of outstanding accomplishments both in scientific research and in promoting diversity and inclusion.
Leadership
Hannah Valantine, M.D.
Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity
Senior Investigator, NHLBI
As the Chief Officer for Scientific Workforce Diversity, Dr. Hannah Valantine leads NIH’s effort to promote diversity, inclusiveness, and equity throughout the biomedical research enterprise. She is also a senior investigator at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute where her laboratory studies the causes of heart transplant rejection.
Michael Gottesman, M.D.
Deputy Director for Intramural Research
Senior Investigator, NCI-CCR
Dr. Michael Gottesman is the Deputy Director for Intramural Research at the NIH, overseeing the research, training, and clinical activities across the 24 institutes and centers that constitute NIH’s Intramural Research Program. He is also chief of NCI’s Laboratory of Cell Biology where his laboratory studies the molecular mechanisms of multidrug resistance in cancer cells.
Roland Owens, Ph.D.
Director of Research Workforce Development
Office of Intramural Research
Dr. Roland Owens is the Director of Research Workforce Development in the Office of Intramural Research (OIR) who oversees principal investigator recruitments within NIH’s Intramural Research Program. He is also the principal OIR senior staff member responsible for promoting diversity and inclusion in the biomedical research workforce, as well as promoting mentorship at the NIH.
Carl Hashimoto, Ph.D.
Dr. Carl Hashimoto is the Senior Advisor for Faculty Development in the Offices of Scientific Workforce Diversity and Intramural Research responsible for supporting the professional and career development of early career stage investigators in NIH’s Intramural Research Program.
Contact Us
For further information about the Distinguished Scholars Program, please email carl.hashimoto@nih.gov.