Every two years, the IU School of Medicine selects two Watanabe Translational Scholars, whose efforts are focused on translational research. Named after the late August M. Watanabe, an IUSM alumnus whose career spanned academia and the pharmaceutical and life science industries, the two-year award includes $5,000 for travel and mentor meetings with Dr. Carl June, who was awarded the 2015 Watanabe Prize for Translational Research. June is the Richard W. Vague Professor in Immunotherapy and director of the Center for Cellular Immunotherapies in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
IUSM junior faculty who hold an assistant professor, tenure-track position are eligible to apply. Applicants must provide:
- Their name, title and contact information;
- Their curriculum vitae;
- A one-page statement of interest that summarizes their current research program and how informal mentoring from Dr. June will help advance the applicant’s research efforts.
Selected scholars also must present their work during the annual Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI) meeting on Sept. 11. The incumbent Watanabe Translational Scholars are Drs. Melissa A. Kacena and Rachel C.. Vreeman. Application materials are due June 15 and should be sent to Donna Burgett at dfburget@regenstrief.org. Applicants will be notified of a decision in early July.
Information for a pair of additional CTSI-funded initiatives, the Molecular Therapeutics Program (applications due July 1) and Community Health Engagement Program (proposals due July 21), are available here: