K12 Scholars Program

The mission of the Consortium for Translational and Precision Health (CTPH) K12 Scholars Program is to develop the next generation of independent clinical and translational scientists and leaders through mentored research, interdisciplinary collaboration and career development with an emphasis on precision health.

Established in 2024 through a partnership between Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and the University of Houston (UH), the CTPH K12 Scholars Program prepares early-career clinician and research scientists to advance discoveries that improve the health of individuals and communities.

Advancing the Science of Translation

Despite remarkable advances in biomedical research, many discoveries never reach the people who could benefit from them. Translational science seeks to understand and overcome the scientific and operational barriers that slow the translation of discoveries into practice. By generating innovative solutions that improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and impact of translational research, translational science accelerates the delivery of better health outcomes.

The CTPH K12 Scholars Program prepares early stage investigators to conduct translational research and to advance the science of translation through collaboration, innovation, rigor, and problem-solving across disciplines.

The program is informed by the NCATS Translational Science Principles, which characterize effective approaches to translational science.

Our Goals

The CTPH K12 Scholars Program goals are to:

  •   Recruit, train, and retain a multidisciplinary cohort of Scholars committed to careers in clinical and translational science.

  •   Provide a robust career development experience through protected research time, individualized mentoring, didactic training, experiential learning and networking.

  •   Support innovative, high-quality research addressing challenges in translation and improving health outcomes.

  •   Foster collaborative, team-based approaches to problem-solving across disciplines and among institutions.

  •   Develop scholars into future leaders, independent investigators, and mentors who are equipped to advance translational science and precision health.       

  •   Integrate scholars into the broader CTPH community and its translational science resources and programs.

Program Leadership

  • Multiple Principal Investigator (Contact)
    Dr. Rumbaut is Professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Founding Director of the Center for Translational Research on Inflammatory Diseases (CTRID), and a practicing Internal Medicine/Critical Care physician at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (MEDVAMC).

  • Multiple Principal Investigator
    Dr. Bruce is Clinical Professor of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Associate Dean for Research at the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine at the University of Houston (UH). He is also founding director of The Collaboratories at UH Population Health. 

  • Multiple Principal Investigator

    Dr. Grigorenko is the Hugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished Professor of Psychology and Director of the GENE:IS (Genetic and Neurobehavioral Systems: Interdisciplinary Studies) Lab at the University of Houston (UH). She is a licensed clinical psychologist with specialization in forensic psychology.

  • Multiple Principal Investigator

    Dr. Pereira is Associate Professor and Director for Mentoring and Professional Development at the BCM Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, where he leads mentoring and professional development for faculty and trainees.

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