Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) have secured a prestigious NIH grant to establish a groundbreaking training initiative: the Philadelphia Program for Mentored Research Training in Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases (PERFORM-KUH). Spanning five years (2024-2029), this comprehensive program is designed to cultivate a robust and diverse research workforce dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing health challenges in nephrology, urology and hematology.
Addressing a Growing Need
The research workforce in KUH fields faces critical shortages, potentially stagnating future advancements. Studies commissioned by national societies highlight alarming trends:
- Fewer young physicians are entering adult clinical nephrology.
- Pediatric nephrology lacks sufficient specialists.
- Applications for clinical urology training remain stagnant.
- Interest in non-malignant hematology is overshadowed by oncology.
These trends coincide with declining research grant applications in these areas over the past two decades, further exacerbating the workforce gap.
PERFORM-KUH seeks to reverse these trends by addressing the underlying barriers: insufficient early exposure to KUH careers, lack of mentorship and role models, lengthy and costly training paths and perceived career risks. By providing comprehensive training and mentorship, the program aims to inspire and prepare the next generation of KUH scientists.
A Comprehensive Training Environment
At its core, PERFORM-KUH is more than a training program—it’s a vibrant research community. The program brings together the established strengths of CHOP and Penn while leveraging expertise from other leading institutions in Philadelphia, including Jefferson Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Drexel University, Temple University, Fox Chase Cancer Center and the Wistar Institute. This collaborative network ensures trainees receive unparalleled access to resources, expertise and cutting-edge research opportunities.
Key features of the program include:
- State-of-the-art training: Trainees will gain hands-on experience with advanced experimental approaches in bench, translational and clinical research related to kidney, urologic and hematologic diseases across all age groups.
- Mentorship and professional development: A structured mentoring process, complemented by enrichment programs and peer networking opportunities, will guide trainees toward successful research careers. The program also includes a “mentoring the mentor” initiative to enhance mentorship quality and provide continuous feedback.
- Diversity and inclusion: PERFORM-KUH is committed to fostering diversity by lowering barriers to KUH career pathways and encouraging participation from underrepresented groups.
Goals for a Stronger Future
The objectives of PERFORM-KUH are to:
- Build a collaborative research community by integrating expertise from multiple institutions to create a unified Philadelphia-based biomedical research training network.
- Prepare trainees for success, equipping predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers with the skills and knowledge needed for impactful careers in academia, research institutes and industry.
- Inspire early interest, encouraging budding scientists to explore careers in nephrology, urology and hematology through targeted outreach and education.
- Enhance mentorship by developing robust mentoring programs to support trainees and junior faculty, ensuring continuous growth and development.
Leadership and Vision
PERFORM-KUH at CHOP is led by Wei Tong, PhD, a member of the research faculty in the Division of Hematology. Michelle Denburg, MD, MSCE, an attending physician in the Division of Nephrology, heads the Networking Core, fostering collaboration and community building.
PERFORM-KUH at Penn is led by Lawrence Holzman, MD, while Peter Klein, MD, PhD, leads the Professional Development Core, shaping the program’s training and mentorship initiatives.
As the demands on the KUH research workforce continue to grow, initiatives like PERFORM-KUH are critical for building a sustainable future. By nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and breaking down barriers, the program aims to create a lasting impact on the field and improve health outcomes for countless patients. This visionary effort represents a bold step forward in addressing workforce challenges and advancing research in kidney, urologic and hematologic diseases.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) have secured a prestigious NIH grant to establish a groundbreaking training initiative: the Philadelphia Program for Mentored Research Training in Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases (PERFORM-KUH). Spanning five years (2024-2029), this comprehensive program is designed to cultivate a robust and diverse research workforce dedicated to tackling some of the most pressing health challenges in nephrology, urology and hematology.
Addressing a Growing Need
The research workforce in KUH fields faces critical shortages, potentially stagnating future advancements. Studies commissioned by national societies highlight alarming trends:
- Fewer young physicians are entering adult clinical nephrology.
- Pediatric nephrology lacks sufficient specialists.
- Applications for clinical urology training remain stagnant.
- Interest in non-malignant hematology is overshadowed by oncology.
These trends coincide with declining research grant applications in these areas over the past two decades, further exacerbating the workforce gap.
PERFORM-KUH seeks to reverse these trends by addressing the underlying barriers: insufficient early exposure to KUH careers, lack of mentorship and role models, lengthy and costly training paths and perceived career risks. By providing comprehensive training and mentorship, the program aims to inspire and prepare the next generation of KUH scientists.
A Comprehensive Training Environment
At its core, PERFORM-KUH is more than a training program—it’s a vibrant research community. The program brings together the established strengths of CHOP and Penn while leveraging expertise from other leading institutions in Philadelphia, including Jefferson Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Drexel University, Temple University, Fox Chase Cancer Center and the Wistar Institute. This collaborative network ensures trainees receive unparalleled access to resources, expertise and cutting-edge research opportunities.
Key features of the program include:
- State-of-the-art training: Trainees will gain hands-on experience with advanced experimental approaches in bench, translational and clinical research related to kidney, urologic and hematologic diseases across all age groups.
- Mentorship and professional development: A structured mentoring process, complemented by enrichment programs and peer networking opportunities, will guide trainees toward successful research careers. The program also includes a “mentoring the mentor” initiative to enhance mentorship quality and provide continuous feedback.
- Diversity and inclusion: PERFORM-KUH is committed to fostering diversity by lowering barriers to KUH career pathways and encouraging participation from underrepresented groups.
Goals for a Stronger Future
The objectives of PERFORM-KUH are to:
- Build a collaborative research community by integrating expertise from multiple institutions to create a unified Philadelphia-based biomedical research training network.
- Prepare trainees for success, equipping predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers with the skills and knowledge needed for impactful careers in academia, research institutes and industry.
- Inspire early interest, encouraging budding scientists to explore careers in nephrology, urology and hematology through targeted outreach and education.
- Enhance mentorship by developing robust mentoring programs to support trainees and junior faculty, ensuring continuous growth and development.
Leadership and Vision
PERFORM-KUH at CHOP is led by Wei Tong, PhD, a member of the research faculty in the Division of Hematology. Michelle Denburg, MD, MSCE, an attending physician in the Division of Nephrology, heads the Networking Core, fostering collaboration and community building.
PERFORM-KUH at Penn is led by Lawrence Holzman, MD, while Peter Klein, MD, PhD, leads the Professional Development Core, shaping the program’s training and mentorship initiatives.
As the demands on the KUH research workforce continue to grow, initiatives like PERFORM-KUH are critical for building a sustainable future. By nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and breaking down barriers, the program aims to create a lasting impact on the field and improve health outcomes for countless patients. This visionary effort represents a bold step forward in addressing workforce challenges and advancing research in kidney, urologic and hematologic diseases.