March 28. 2024

UC BRAID was pleased to host the first ever systemwide University of California KL2 and Amos Scholars Symposium on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at the UC San Francisco campus. The day provided opportunities for collaboration, connection, and networking for scholars from around the UC system. In total, twenty-eight Scholars representing all five CTSA campuses were in attendance. 

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Dr. Vanessa Jacoby, UCSF, and Dr. Carrie Byington, UC Office of the President, provided warm welcomes to the group and spoke of the importance of early career faculty training and support programs.  Dr. Dan Cooper, UCI, introduced the Plenary speaker and shared his own early career experiences with the group.

Dr. Margo Kushel, Professor of Medicine and Division Chief of the Division of Vulnerable Populations at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital & Trauma Center and Director of the UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations and UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative led the Plenary session. Dr. Kushel’s research focuses on reducing the burden of homelessness on health and understanding the effects of housing instability on health care outcomes. She gave a moving and motivating talk about pursuing research you are passionate about and persevering when that research may not be fashionable. 

Throughout the day, the group heard from a range of speakers on topics of particular interest to early career faculty, including: ​

• Errol Arkilic, from UC Irvine, who spoke on commercialization and searching for a business model for inventions

• Stevie Eberle, from Stanford University, who presented on the art of negotiation

• Urmimala Sarkar, from UCSF, spoke about getting things done as an early career investigator

• Tung Nguyen, from UCSF, gave an impassioned presentation on diversity, equity, and anti-racism in research

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Besides ample time to network, KL2 and Amos scholars also heard from their peers. Two panel discussions focused on thoughts, tips, and lessons learned for making the most of early years as a Scholar and transitioning to independence. The panelists were open and transparent about facing their own challenges and experiences, and they gave all in attendance thoughtful advice about moving through and beyond the early years.

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UC BRAID hopes to establish this event as a regular opportunity for early career faculty, building connections and partnerships across the five campuses. Look for more information on the UC BRAID website as plans for the next event develop.