PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT Health problems related to our Otolaryngology subspecialty require multidisciplinary approaches for understanding and treating hearing and communication disorders. Surgeon scientists play key roles in discoveries and translation of research advances into improved health care for patients, a process central to the NIH Roadmap. To address a critical shortage in the next generation of otolaryngology surgeon scientists, new opportunities are urgently needed. A new training program that integrates basic, translational, epidemiologic, and clinical sciences into the clinical training of otolaryngology residents and medical students is proposed. The integrated program will be delivered by the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University Miami Miller School of Medicine (MSOM), incorporating proven approaches to address barriers that prevent trainees from achieving successful academic surgeon scientist careers. The training program's mission is to address these needs by: (1) supporting research opportunities in otolaryngology disciplines, (2) providing strong curricula in an integrative framework, and (3) nurturing an interdisciplinary research culture that emphasizes mentorship, academic advancement, grantsmanship, diversity outreach, responsible and ethical conduct of research, and productivity. This training proposal seeks funding for the formation of the Miami Otolaryngology Surgeon Scientist Training Program (MOSSTP) at the MSOM. The program offers dedicated research training and mentorship for career development to medical students as well as otolaryngology residents matching into an ACGME-approved 6-year Otolaryngology Residency Research Track. MOSSTP trainees will be selected based on academic and research achievements as well as motivations to become an academic surgeon scientist. Trainees will select a primary mentor from our highly qualified and diverse group of faculty researchers that come from multiple departments at the MSOM and offer opportunities for immersive basic, translational, epidemiologic / public health, and/or clinical research. Each year, we will recruit 1 otolaryngology resident trainee for the ACGME-approved Otolaryngology Residency Research Track position through the National Resident Matching Program to complete a career development training pathway designed for surgeon scientists. We will also recruit and enroll two MSOM or external medical students annually through a formal application process that goes through rigorous evaluation by selection and diversity committees. We will provide immersive research training for medical students interested in otolaryngology to cultivate otolaryngology research interests, encourage pursuit of otolaryngology residencies that include research training, and cultivate young minds to engage in academic surgeon scientist careers. The success of our program will contribute to a reversal of the downward trend in the number and diversity of otolaryngology surgeon scientists that compete successfully for NIDCD-sponsored research awards and become creative contributors to the future of otolaryngology.

PROJECT NARRATIVE / PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE Surgeon scientists play key roles in discoveries and translation of research advances into improved health care for patients. To address a critical shortage in the next generation of otolaryngology surgeon scientists, a new training program that integrates basic, translational, epidemiologic, and clinical sciences into the clinical training of otolaryngology residents and medical students is proposed. This mentored research training program aims to address barriers that prevent trainees from achieving successful academic surgeon scientist careers that facilitate scientific discoveries and advances in hearing and communication disorders that align with the NIDCD mission.