The Mentoring Matters workshop, “Extending Your Mentoring Reach,” took place on March 25, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. ET and kicked off the Mentoring Matters series. Susan Newcomb, PhD, Education and Training Program Director at the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), hosted the session, with Lynn Wagenknecht, PhD (Professor of Public Health Sciences and CTSI Associate Director for Resources and Services) serving as moderator. Panelists Jill Urban, PhD (Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering) and Kristie Foley, PhD (Professor and Chair of Implementation Science and MPI of the CTSA grant) shared practical ways to use CTSI resources to strengthen mentoring and support researchers across career stages. View full session here.
Strong mentoring can make the difference between feeling stuck and moving forward—especially early in a research career. This session underscored how mentor–mentee relationships help researchers build confidence, stay resilient, and keep momentum as the expectations of modern science continue to grow.
Challenges for Early Career Researchers
Early career researchers are often juggling a lot at once—limited time, complex projects, and uncertainty about where to turn for help. The workshop focused on practical ways to lower those barriers by using institutional support, especially the services available through CTSI. Mentors can be the “connector” here, pointing mentees to the right people and programs so they can solve problems faster and keep their work moving.
CTSI Resources: A Gateway to Success
CTSI offers a range of services to support researchers at every stage, including, but not limited to:
- Research Studios: Structured feedback sessions where mentors and mentees can get input from experienced investigators on project aims, training plans, and grant proposals.
- Writing Support Specialists: Support to sharpen grant narratives and clearly communicate research ideas—for early career and experienced investigators alike.
- Biostatistics Support: Consultations on study design and analysis to help ensure projects are rigorous and fundable.
- Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Help building meaningful community partnerships, including feedback for intervention development and translational research.
- Ignition Funds and Pilot Funding: Small grants to generate preliminary data or test ideas—often the bridge to larger awards.
- K&R Writer Series: A structured grant-writing program with peer and mentor review to keep participants on track and strengthen submissions.
- Team Effectiveness Consults: Guidance on building and managing multidisciplinary teams, including clarifying roles and addressing conflict when it comes up.
- Informatics and Data Extraction Services: Support with querying electronic health records and accessing clinical data to expand what’s possible in a study.
Review the complete list of services here and submit a service request on this page.
Mentoring as a Team Sport
One theme came through clearly: mentoring works best when it is shared. Panelists Dr. Kristie Foley and Dr. Jill Urban described their own paths from mentee to independent researcher and highlighted the value of building a mentoring “team” rather than relying on a single person. With the right mix of mentors and CTSI support, mentees can get well-rounded guidance—from grant writing and study design to community engagement and managing large projects. Over time, that support helps researchers grow into mentors themselves and strengthens the broader research community.
Expanding Access and Fostering Collaboration
The workshop highlighted the importance of ensuring everyone is aware of and able to access available resources—after all, people cannot benefit from services they do not know exist. While CTSI’s resources and services help connect individuals to the support they need, mentors are still essential in guiding mentees to these opportunities at the right time. Regular communication and updates within mentoring networks help ensure no chances are missed. Importantly, CTSI support goes beyond faculty: it extends to research staff and other stakeholders as well. Initiatives like the Study Coordinators Research Forum (SCaRF) and dedicated workshops are tailored to meet staff where they are, providing mentoring, professional development, and practical tools for advancing their careers. This inclusive approach not only strengthens collaboration but also builds a more cohesive and connected research community.
Investing in Mentoring and CTSI Resources
Taken together, strong mentoring and CTSI resources can help early career researchers build durable research programs and contribute impactful science. When institutions make these supports easy to find and use—and when mentors and mentees approach the work as a partnership—the benefits extend well beyond any single project. See Dr. Jill Urban’s full story here.
Take full advantage of the support that is already available. To learn more about CTSI resources and services, visit the CTSI website. For upcoming educational opportunities, please visit the education portal.
Don’t Miss the Next Mentoring Matters Session — May 20th
Mark your calendar for May 20, 2026 at 2:00 pm ET for the next session of the CTSI Mentoring Continuing Education Program (MCEP).
- This case‑based session highlights real‑world examples of successful mentoring approaches for research staff across diverse roles and departments.
- Presenters will share practical lessons learned, challenges encountered, and strategies that have supported professional growth, retention, and success within research teams.
Register now to reserve your spot.