New, young investigators are critical to biomedical research. Their fresh ideas, innovativeness, and enthusiasm are necessary for scientific progress. Yet the steps from a junior research position toward a self-sufficient laboratory can be difficult. Mayo Clinic is dedicated to fostering future, investigators. Here we look at two of them and what Mayo is doing to help.

David Katzmann, Ph.D. and his lab study the process of vesicle and protein trafficking, an important process for all living cells which, when defective, can lead to a multitude of diseases.

After completing a highly successful post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California San Diego/Howard Hughes Medical Institute, David Katzmann had many options. His qualifications and experience would have opened the door at many well-funded institutes that would have provided him with a generous start-up package.

So, what drew him to Mayo? Aside from his Midwestern roots, he says it was “Support, support, support.” With a base-budget funding to begin his own research, as well as his salary and that of a technician, Dr. Katzmann had time to gather the preliminary data to submit a strong proposal to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). His proposal was funded on his first submission -- no small feat. Even though he is now an NIH-funded investigator, Dr. Katzmann says he still appreciates Mayo support. In addition to his base budget, access to imaging and molecular biology core facilities and administrative and computer support allow him and his lab to conduct research more efficiently than many colleagues at other institutes.

Qi Qian, M.D. considers herself extremely lucky to be “working like crazy” as she studies vascular defects associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) resulting in the development of high blood pressure. Trained as a nephrologist, Dr. Qian is an example of a young clinician successfully making the transition into a career as an NIH-funded physician-scientist.

Following her residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Dr. Qian was asked by her mentor to move with him to Yale. However, she chose to come to Mayo to begin her career as a practicing physician. During her first years at Mayo, Dr. Qian was impressed by the interactive environment of clinicians and scientists. When asked what her dream was and how Mayo could help her achieve it, she decided she wanted to become a physician-scientist.

A key component of her transition was a CR75 award she received from Mayo. This award provides two years of funding so young physicians can conduct a clinical research project. It allows them to spend 75 percent of their time on research and 25 percent on clinical practice. With the help of this award, Dr. Qian was able to obtain the data that became part of her successful proposal to the NIH. In addition to the monetary support, Dr. Qian says she is very grateful for the generous advice and nurturing environment provided by her mentors and colleagues. She calls Mayo a dream environment for young investigators wanting to achieve their maximum potential.

The search for funding doesn’t end after a young investigator obtains the first NIH grant, which, in itself, is no easy accomplishment. Mayo investigators can certainly look to industry and private foundations, but they can also apply for a variety of Mayo internal research awards. As a not-for-profit organization, Mayo reinvests revenue in excess of expenses into areas supporting the Mayo mission, including research. In 2004 the overall funding for research and education at Mayo was $528 million and of that amount, $226 million came from Mayo funds and benefactor gifts.

Rebecca Bahn, M.D. is a Mayo endocrinologist and investigator in Rochester. But as Associate Director for Career Development, she has helped create three new young investigator awards:

The FUTR Award - provides funding for young investigators during the transition from research training to independent researchers with extramural funding.

The FUTR Supplement - (not available to those holding a FUTR Award) provides two-year support to investigators, assisting in project completion and submission of external research proposals.

The Research Mayo Foundation Scholar Appointment - is for young researchers new to Mayo interested in a research-oriented career, but who need additional training. Such individuals can be identified by a department or division and, upon receiving this appointment, will be provided with intramural support for two years while they receive additional training. Following the two years of training, the appointee will receive three years of support as an independent junior investigator at Mayo.

“Our granting of these three awards is in its infancy,” says Dr. Bahn. “However, with positive results and sufficient funding, the program will be expanded in coming years.”

But there’s more. In the case of benefactor donations, funding can be matched by Mayo. Those funds are awarded through competitive application to the Career Development Committee. As with the FUTR, FUTR Supplement, and Mayo Scholar awards, applicants must indicate how the money will support their research and help them in their transition to an independent investigator. In contrast, however, the research supported may be more thematic, such as studies aimed at heart disease, cancer, or neurological disorders, depending on the wishes of the benefactor.

In helping young investigators, Mayo Clinic again is connecting all the dots – from training researchers to making discoveries to developing new treatments. It all leads back to the same point, the same mission, ongoing and yet unchanged for over a century: the needs of the patient come first.