Director's Note

At NIDDK, we seek to nurture the most promising scientific talent from across our vast nation, and as you’ll see in this issue, we do so in myriad ways.

To make science more inclusive of and accessible to students with an interest and talent in research, we fund short-term research experiences. These programs draw the brightest talent from across the country and in sometimes overlooked places—from rural Tennessee to Alaska and the Pacific Islands—with the aim of inspiring young people to choose careers in health research.

As graduate students narrow their focus, we offer funding in the form of training awards and fellowships to help them explore research opportunities and contribute to studies within our disease mission. For new investigators, early career awards can provide protected time for research.

We seek to strengthen scientific careers within NIH as well. Groups such as the NIH Women Scientist Advisors work to ensure that successes are equally rewarded, as NIDDK’s Dr. Susan Buchanan, former chair of the group, talks about in this issue.

Also in this issue, our Network of Minority Health Research Investigators celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Connections that people make in the program can help them better understand how to build a research career. One of its members said having people so invested in his success helped drive him forward—a sentiment I share, as I’ve developed my career within NIDDK.

As you read here and on our website outlining training by career level, I hope you’ll feel that we at NIDDK are all invested in helping talented scientists of today become the pioneers of tomorrow’s biomedical discoveries.

In good health,
Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D., M.A.C.P.
Director, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Follow NIDDK on Twitter @NIDDKgov