The KURe Career Development Program

Our KURe scholars truly shined at the CAIRIBU Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Invited to speak in scientific sessions were Bin Ni, MD, Cassandra Kisby, PhD, and alumnus Byron Hayes, PhD. In addition, Byron Hayes, Michael Odom, and Em Abbott took part in research strategy sessions. Playing leadership roles in the meeting were Michael Odom, PhD (Planning Committee), Byron Hayes (poster session judge) and Cindy Amundsen, MD PI/PD (abstract reviewer and moderator for scientific session). 

Dr. Amundsen was honored with an award for her success in training the next generation of researchers in benign urology and long-time commitment to lead the K12 program.  

KURe alumni Maryellen Kelly, DNP, MHSc, James Hokanson, PhD, and Nazema Siddiqui, MD, MHS were recognized for receiving CAIRIBU’s prestigious Collaboration Awards to support their research. 

The KURe recruits talented clinical, translational and basic science researchers (MD, DO, PhD,  MD/PhD) from diverse disciplines who are interested in building an independent research career using collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches to benign urological research questions. Junior faculty, fellows and postdocs from any department and interested in research applicable to benign urology may apply to the KURe program. For additional information, contact friederike.jayes@duke.edu or cindy.amundsen@duke.edu.

The KURe Program is a part of CAIRIBU, funded through NIDDK. CAIRIBU’s K12, P20, and U54 centers and programs are united around the overall objectives of improving understanding of the mechanisms of urogenital diseases and developing clinical therapies for treating them. Duke's KURe Program is a K12 Institutional Career Development Grant that provides scholars with career development training and support to develop the skills necessary to become outstanding independent investigators able to lead multidisciplinary research teams. Scholars receive salary support up to $100,000 per year for 75% of full professional effort (50% -75% if a surgical specialty). Research and Career Development Support up to $40,000 per year will be provided for research supplies, equipment and technical personnel; tuition and fees related to didactic courses or career development; and travel to research meetings. Scholars are expected to publish and apply for independent grant funding by year three. Maximum support is for five years.

Interested in applying? Contact Principal Investigator and Program Director Cindy Amundsen, MD or Program Coordinator Friederike Jayes, DVM, PhD

Scholars should have no more than five years of postdoctoral research experience and not more than ten years should have elapsed since receiving the terminal doctoral degree. Mid-career and senior faculty are not eligible. Scholars must be a US citizen or have a valid green card. Applicants from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, or from a disadvantaged background as defined by NIH’s NOT-OD-20-031, are encouraged to apply.

Research areas supported by this initiative must be related to the mission of the NIDDK. Areas of interest may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Basic research such as cell and molecular biology, genomics and proteomics, biochemistry, physiology, developmental biology, tissue engineering, immunology, pathology, neurobiology and microbiology
• Clinical sciences such as urology, infectious disease, gastroenterology, gynecology, endocrinology, anesthesiology, neurology, gerontology and radiology
• Epidemiology or biostatistics
• Physical sciences such as physics, bioengineering, chemical and mechanical engineering

Principal Investigator and Program Director
Cindy Amundsen, MD
Scholars@Duke Bio

Program Coordinator
Friederike Jayes, DVM, PhD
Scholars@Duke Bio

Career Development Program Specialist
Rebecca Kameny, PhD
Scholars@Duke Bio