McGowan affiliated faculty Roberto Mota Alvidrez, MD, (pictured) recently joined the University of New Mexico’s (UNM) KL2 Mentored Career Development Program, which is supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The program assists junior faculty in developing their ability to secure research funding.
According to a press release by UNM, the majority of KL2 scholars have 75% of their time protected from other responsibilities. Only four faculty members are enrolled at a time for up to a period of five years. Faculty members are funded by the NIH and supported by a clinical and a research mentor with similar areas of expertise.
Each KL2 scholar is expected to publish two papers a year as first or last author, as well as write proposals for internal pilot grants. By the end of scholars’ second year, they will begin submitting proposals for extramural grants. One of the goals of the KL2 program is to make scholars more competitive in being awarded NIH funding in the future.
Dr. Mota Alvidrez works in basic and translational research focusing on the consequences of diabetic disease in cardiovascular and metabolic function particularly atherothrombosis. His research has helped develop the first diabetic, atherosclerotic, obese and dyslipidemic rat model and a non-invasive, longitudinal pre-clinical SPECT/CT imaging tool to externally evaluate inflammation in atherosclerosis.
He plans to work with New Mexico’s Hispanic and Native American patient populations in hopes of benefiting those who suffer from diabetes and associated vascular disease.