OHSU CONNECT Program
What is OHSU CONNECT?
OHSU CONNECT is a 9-month long, evidence-based, cohort-style program designed for post-doctoral scholars and early-career faculty pursuing health research careers. It is based on a program model developed and tested at the University of Pittsburgh. Through mentoring, networking, writing and skill-building, CONNECT Scholars expand their toolkit for successful careers in health sciences.
Who is CONNECT designed for?
The OHSU CONNECT program is designed for postdocs and early career faculty in health sciences to advance their research careers through rigorous career development in a supportive and peer-led community.
Key program activities
Our four key program activities are:
- Curated skill- and community-building via monthly seminars
- Two-tiered peer mentorship
- Networking across the career spectrum
- Critical grant and manuscript writing resources and support
Review details about each program component below.
Seminars
CONNECT supports scholars by assembling a robust toolkit of career and interpersonal resources that are critical for success. These resources are disseminated via a monthly training seminar.
- Seminars feature core topics focused on research skill development and community building.
- Seminars are led by dynamic OHSU leaders, who will introduce tools that attendees will practice in-session.
- Attendees are provided curated resource lists to further their skill development.
Sample seminar topics include: Wellness and mindfulness, project management, conflict resolution, relational coaching, developing your lab as a new PI, becoming an effective mentor
Mentoring
CONNECT features a two-tiered mentoring model that includes:
- Near-peer mentor support for developing a one-year individualized career development plan
- Near-peer mentors meet with scholars and their content mentors twice per year to review progress and assist scholars with advocating for additional resources to achieve the goals outlined in their plan.
In addition, a workshop is dedicated to assessing your mentoring network and setting competencies for becoming an effective mentor.
Networking
CONNECT Scholars will contribute to an interprofessional network of health science researchers and OHSU leaders who are committed to supporting Scholar career development.
To facilitate this, CONNECT hosts two annual networking events:
- Kickoff reception in the fall that is co-sponsored by OHSU programs and departments that are committed to diverse postdoc and early career faculty success
- Symposium in the Spring where scholars will present their research and will be supported by a community of OHSU researchers
Writing
CONNECT Scholars will participate in courses, workshops, and learning communities that are focused on manuscript and grant development. The goals are to:
- Advance dissemination of scholar research findings
- Prepare scholars for submission of competitive applications for early career grants and awards
Topics may include: Writing foundation grants, how to select journals, project management skills for grant writing and NIH-style grant writing.
How is CONNECT unique?
Unique features of the OHSU CONNECT program include:
- Led by near-peer directors who have recent experiences navigating health research programs
- Open to health researchers across a variety of fields and disciplines
- Pairs skill building with community building
- Collaborates closely with existing OHSU programs and national partners to curate tailored programming
Application details
CONNECT is a 9-month long program (starting Fall 2025 and ending in June 2026) that requires at least monthly in-person and virtual engagement with the CONNECT community.
Postdoctoral trainees and junior faculty who are interested in pursuing careers in health research are strongly encouraged to apply. Career development awards are not required.
Candidates must have/be:
- A doctoral degree at the time of program start (e.g., MD, PhD, PharmD, DMD, DDS)
- Committed to a career in health research
- Prepared to devote 9 consecutive months to the program
- At least 50% protected research effort for the 9-month period. CONNECT does not provide salary support for protected time.
- In the mentored phase of career development (i.e., not a current or previous recipient of an NIH R01 award)
- A Primary Research Content Mentor (e.g department-assigned mentor) who will meet with you regularly to review and support the plan of study you complete for CONNECT. Mentors will not be provided by CONNECT.
If you have any questions about your eligibility, please do not hesitate to contact us.
All potential participants are expected to provide the following three application components:
- One-page personal statement describing your research interests and how the program will benefit your career
- NIH-style biosketch
- Letter of support from your mentor (e.g. department-assigned mentor). CONNECT will not match applicants with a mentor
If you anticipate a need for accommodations to complete our application or would like to be added to our contact list, please email us at ohsuconnect@ohsu.edu
Estimated timeline for 2025-2026:
- Application opens August 2025
- Application review begins mid-August 2025
- Acceptance letters sent late September 2025
- New scholar orientation October 15, 2025
- Program concludes June 10, 2026
Partners and collaborators
The OHSU CONNECT Program works closely with local partners to maximize resources and support for CONNECT Scholars and all diverse early career post docs and faculty at OHSU.
OHSU Fellowship for Diversity in Research
Recruits scientists from minoritized races/ethnicities to increase the diversity of the OHSU research community. Visit the website.
Northwest Native American Center of Excellence
Recruits, trains, and retains American Indian/Alaska Native individuals in the health professions. Visit the website.
Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science
Fosters the success of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in attaining advanced degrees and positions of leadership in STEM. Email sacnas@ohsu.edu for more information.
OHSU Mentorship Academy
Accelerates the process of becoming an effective mentor, including culturally aware mentor training. Visit the website.
Gender Equity in Academic Health and Medicine (GEAHM) committee
Addresses issues important to women and gender diverse individuals across OHSU. Visit the website.
Postdoctoral Affairs Office
Supports the career development of all OHSU postdoctoral scholars from arrival to departure. Visit the website.
School of Medicine Early Career Advancement Program
Provides hands-on interactive workshops aimed at helping early career faculty succeed. Visit the website.
CONNECT events
November 19, 2025
Guest presenter: Brenda Martinez
Topic: Assessing Your Mentoring Network
December 17, 2025
Guest presenters: Antoinette Foster, Karen Bromley, Alexander Mansour, Megan Furnari
Topic: Community of Care Dialogue
January 21, 2026
Guest presenters: Fikadu Tafesse, Andrew McHill, Nicole Bowles, Brian Chan
Topic: Starting Your Lab as a New PI
March 18, 2026
Guest presenter: Robin Champieux
Topic: Prioritize Your Online Presence for Impact
The application period has closed for the 2025-2026 cohort.
Check back in Summer 2026 for the next cohort.
Monthly training seminars
Career development opportunities open to post docs and early career faculty starting Fall 2025 - see the events section at the bottom of the page for details. Events are only for participants unless otherwise specified.
Meet our team
De'Sha Wolf, PhD
Co-Director, OHSU CONNECT
Cirila Estela Vasquez Guzman, PhD
Co-Director, OHSU CONNECT
Amy Ciolek
Program Coordinator
Meet the 2025-2026 scholars
Duygu Altinok Dindar, MD, PhD
Estefania Montanez Ramos, MD
Fernanda Tsuzuki, PhD
Guilherme Rocha, PhD
James Kornfield, MD
Brad Buran, PhD
Elizabeth Wood, PhD
Ernesto Manzo, PhD
Hannah Cory, PhD, MPH, RD
Hunter Spencer, DO
Lamya Ben Ameur, PhD
Mauricio Sousa, DDS, PhD
Philip Adeniyi, PhD
Teketay Anley, PhD