K12/CDA AWARDS

tools_ladder MENTORED CAREER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (K12/CDA)

The SW CACTI K12/CDA program equips a cohort of independent faculty with the training and support needed to conduct exceptional clinical and translational research. K12/CDA Scholars receive training and mentorship in multi-disciplinary, team-based, and patient-oriented clinical and translational research. K12/CDA Scholars become leaders and innovators in their respective professional fields and departments.

Based on a NIH-style competitive application process, a scientific review panel selects scholars to develop their research portfolios by receiving 75% salary support for up to two years. The goal of this program is to foster the discipline of clinical research and, by increasing clinical research capacity, to expedite clinical and translational research. The SW CACTI continues to accept applications from highly qualified candidates each year.

docsRequest for Applications (RFA)

We are entering the second year of the SW CACTI K12/CDA this summer. This program is the former UAHS Career Development Program that has been folded into the SW CACTI Scholar Program through the CTSA/K12 collaboration with the University of New Mexico. This program supports junior faculty with up to 75% protected time for two years of translational science research with the expectation that the department or college will provide support for a third year, if needed, for successful transition to an independent research career or a federally-funded 5-year career development grant (e.g., K-series or CDA) or its equivalent. We work closely with our partners at the University of New Mexico for collaboration and shared training of junior faculty.

Applications are due May 4, 2026. We filled our two 2-year NIH-funded K12 slots in September 2025, thus we anticipated to have internally funded career development slots open in July.

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS

person K12/CDA Principal Investigator

Jason A. Wertheim, MD, PHD

school Current K12/CDA Scholars

Anna Morenz, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine

Dr. Morenz is studying the real-world impact of clinic-based HPV self-collection on Cervical Cancer screening participation at El Rio Health, the largest community health center in Arizona. Using electronic health record data and qualitative interviews with clinic staff, this work will generate pragmatic evidence on whether this newly U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved screening approach increases screening uptake and expands access for patients served in community health center settings, including individuals who are uninsured or prefer Spanish-language care.

“Cervical cancer is largely preventable, yet many patients—particularly those receiving care in safety-net and community health center settings—remain unscreened. HPV self-collection offers a promising, patient-centered approach to expand access to screening and support ongoing efforts to eliminate cervical cancer.”

Jennifer De La Rosa, PhD

Assistant Research Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine
Assistant Research Professor, Pharmacology

Dr. De La Rosa’s overall objective is to develop innovative psychosocial interventions that improve health outcomes, quality of life, and functional resilience among individuals living with chronic pain and co-occurring mental health challenges. As a K-Scholar, she will conduct a feasibility pilot of a peer-supported chronic pain self-management intervention for primary care patients. She anticipates contributing actively to the advancement of national scientific and policy conversations surrounding chronic pain.

“The United States’ mental health advocacy movement has been extremely successful and many people are living better lives as a result. However, among those whose mental health needs have not yet been effectively addressed, co-occurring chronic pain is not the exception; it is the rule. The needs of people living with chronic pain are too often left out of our national mental health conversation. My team's research suggests that meaningful engagement with the experience of chronic pain should be a pillar of our national mental health agenda going forward.”

Sumin Park, PhD, RN

Assistant Professor, College of Nursing

Dr. Park’s program of research is deeply rooted in the pursuit of the well-being of patients with cancer and their family caregivers, with a particular focus on the stage of early post-treatment survivorship.

“Developing and Testing the Dyadic Intervention for Lung Cancer Survivors and Caregivers During Transition”

Valerio Tonelli Enrico, PT, PhD, MSCE

Assistant Professor of Practice, Physical Therapy Program

Dr. Tonelli Enrico’s research program is explicitly translational. Using biomarkers to make rehabilitation more precise, testable, and scalable.

“NAC-REPAIR: N-Acetylcysteine-facilitated Redox-Immune Modulation for Post-surgical Analgesia and Injury Recovery”

Adriana Maldonado, PhD, MA

Assistant Professor, Public Health

Dr. Maldonado’s research focuses on the intersection of health equity and Latino health. She is currently involved in the NOSOTROS Comprometidos a Su Salud public health program which aims to reduce health disparities faced by the Latino community in the Southern Arizona region. Dr. Maldonado’s recent work utilizes a mixed-methods approach to understand the impacts of social and environmental contexts on Latinos’ hypertension-related disparities. Her areas of focus include psychosocial determinants of health, health disparities, mental health, and chronic diseases.

“From Community to Primary Care: An Implementation Science Study of the Your Heart, Your Life Program in Arizona and New Mexico”