group photo of attendees at workshop with lake in background

First Midwest Research Skills Development Workshop a Success

By Kelly Hale, Marketing & Communications Coordinator

May 27, 2025

The University of Kansas Cancer Center and Frontiers Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) held the first Midwest Research Skills Development Workshop in May at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri. The workshop, which will be an annual event, was designed to help early career faculty and trainees develop their research and career development skills, including mentoring, grantsmanship, time management, negotiation, and work-life balance. It also included sessions for families.

Anthony Sung, M.D., professor in the department of Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapeutics and director of the Center for Survivorship and Patient-Oriented Research, brought the idea with him from Duke University, where he had previously participated in a similar workshop.

“While physicians get plenty of training in how to take care of patients, they rarely get training in grant writing, budget management, negotiation and handling conflict, time management and work-life balance, and the dozens of other skills necessary to run an academic research team,” said Sung. “Our goal with the Midwest Research Skills Development Workshop is to provide trainees and junior faculty with these skills and set them up for success."

Professor Emeritus of the Practice of Rhetoric at Duke University, George Gopen, Ph.D., JD, considered the leading writing consultant on the English language and author of multiple books and articles, led workshops on Writing for Scientists.

Dr. Sung at podium with attendees sitting in chairs at tables

In addition to Gopen, other presenters at the workshop included University of Kansas Medical Center and Frontiers co-PI and Director, Mario Castro, M.D., MPH; past Frontiers KL2 scholar, Jennifer Villwock, M.D.; Frontiers workforce heterogeneity co-lead Carrie Francis, M.D, along with James Krings, M.D., MSCI, from Washington University (St. Louis); KU Medical Center’s Alan Yu, M.D., B. Chir., Sung, Lisa Harlan-Williams, Ph.D., Devin Koestler, Ph.D., and Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s Matthew Kelly, M.D.

Attendees had the opportunity to not only network and attend sessions, but also to participate in hands-on experiences as well.

“The Midwest Research Skills Development Workshop was an incredibly valuable experience, providing an excellent opportunity for personal and professional growth,” said Frontiers TL1 postdoctoral trainee Aaron Smith, Ph.D., who works in the Brain Nutrition Lab at KU Medical Center. “The interactive talks on topics like 'Writing for Scientists' and 'Grantsmanship' were particularly insightful and practical, equipping attendees with essential skills for navigating the research landscape. The small group sessions, such as the K23 and K08 grant discussions, facilitated targeted advice and personalized feedback, fostering meaningful connections between junior researchers and experienced mentors. Networking with peers and faculty members was a highlight, allowing for exchanging ideas and potential collaborations. The workshop's mix of expert-led sessions, hands-on workshops, and ample networking opportunities made it an invaluable resource for advancing my research career.”

“I was excited to participate in our first Midwest Research Skills Development Workshop sponsored by the University of Kansas Cancer Center and Frontiers CTSI,” said Castro. “I was amazed by the practical skills presented at the workshop for starting junior clinical investigators – I wished I had them when I started.”

Attendees included trainees and early career faculty from KU Cancer Center, KU Medical Center, Children’s Mercy Kansas City, the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences, Creighton University, and Oklahoma University Health Sciences.

Information on the 2026 workshop will be released later this year.

Kelly Hale

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

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