DULCE (Diabetes InqUiry Through a Learning Collaborative Experience)

Project Summary/Abstract
The purpose of the NIDDK R25 Research Education Training Program, DULCE (Diabetes InqUiry through
a Learning Collaborative Experience) at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine is to inspire
medical students to pursue careers in diabetes mellitus (DM) research through exposure to the full continuum
from basic science to translational DM research and the interdisciplinary collaboration needed to care for
patients with DM. Given the increasing number of Americans with diabetes mellitus (DM), it is imperative that
our physician-scientist work force is well prepared to address the needs of this growing population and keep
pace with DM innovation. The University of Chicago is home to two strong DM research centers whose
investigators currently have $31.5 million in grant funding from NIDDK and represent research that spans basic
science, clinical translational, community based, and policy research. UC also provides high caliber clinical
care through the Kovler Diabetes Center and other highly ranked clinical programs. The Pritzker School of
Medicine (PSOM) has the potential to be a leader in training underrepresented minorities in DM research; in
2021, 36% of the entering PSOM class is Black/African American and Latinx. Furthermore, 42% of incoming
PSOM students express interest in conducting DM research. While the PSOM has a track record in training
students in research, we lack a program focused on DM. To address the gaps in the current physician scientist
workforce and meet the needs of our current students’ interest in DM research, we will develop, implement,
and evaluate DULCE. We propose this novel longitudinal research education program for eight medical
students per year during their first and second year of medical school consisting of a short-term basic science,
clinical, or community health research experience combined with a structured didactic seminar series and
interdisciplinary clinical shadowing experiences. DULCE will provide students with concrete experiences in DM
research and clinical shadowing, reflective observation through regular meetings with peers and physician
scientists, learning of new theories through participation in multidisciplinary clinical and research seminars, and
application of new concepts through an intensive mentored research project. DULCE’s evaluation will be based
on assessments of students’ research self-efficacy, their attitudes towards DM research, their exposure to the
roles of interdisciplinary health professions in DM care, and their ability to contribute to a research project. We
will also assess their interest in pursuing a research career in DM and their productivity in a future career in DM
research through tracking of conference presentations and publications. Our goal through DULCE is to provide
PSOM students with a better understanding of the spectrum of DM research and interdisciplinary collaboration,
inspiring them to pursue careers in DM research.

Grant Number: 5R25DK130849-03
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Arshiya Baig