Significant Impact: from K Award to Your First Big R01

Do you ever feel like you’re constantly behind in your career? In this episode, I’m tackling the common but misguided belief that we’re not where we should be. So many of us feel like we’re behind, but that feeling is often based on unrealistic expectations or inaccurate comparisons. The truth? Being behind is just a story we tell ourselves, and it can lead us to make decisions that actually take...

Have you ever felt like your career path was a bit scattered or not quite aligned with what you truly want to be doing? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Gillian Tarr, an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, to discuss her journey through the K to R Essentials program and how it helped her find clarity in her research career. We dive into the challenges sh...

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the lack of a clear path from a K award to your first R01, you’re not alone. Moving from being a mentee to taking the lead on your own research can feel like you’re navigating uncharted territory. But here’s the good news: You don’t need a perfect roadmap. You just need to know where you’re headed, and I’m here to help you figure out the next step. I’ll share why g...

In this episode, I share a deeply personal story that goes beyond the pragmatic reasons why I created K to R Essentials. While the program was born out of a practical need to help early-career researchers navigate the challenges of grant deadlines and writing their first R01, there’s a much deeper reason driving my passion for this work. I tell the story of a life-threatening health scare that cha...

In the high-stakes world of academia, competition is everywhere—from landing a faculty position to securing grant funding. It's easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others, but instead of success, this can lead to self-sabotage. In this episode, we explore how comparison, competition, and critique—although vital in academia—often work against you. I'll share strategies on...

Setting goals is easy for high achievers.  The challenge lies in achieving them—on your ideal timeline—without burning out.  In this episode, I explore the pitfalls of setting ambitious targets without proper planning and how this can lead to burnout and panic-driven decisions, especially as deadlines approach. Drawing from experiences with my K to R Essentials students, I dive into the importance...

Have you ever been told that your ambitions are too big? There’s a fine balance between being ambitious in your career and being realistic in your grant proposals. In this episode, I explore why feedback on being "overly ambitious" in grants should not have any influence on your career ambitions - and how you can address this critique effectively.  More importantly, I’ll discuss the impo...

Is your mindset keeping you from taking it to the next level in your research career? Shifting from the mentee mindset to the PI mindset is key to helping you navigate the K to R transition. But how? Where do you start? Tune in to this episode of the podcast to discover: The key indicators of the mentee mindset How your socialization is holding you back from being a leader How to step into your le...

How you prioritize your time will determine whether your R01 gets done first or is a side project that you work on on nights and weekends. This week on the show, we are revisiting our conversation on priorities so you can be reminded that it’s never selfish to make your career aspirations your #1 priority! It’s easy to say that converting your NIH K Award to your R01 is the most important thing in...

We’re revisiting a topic introduced early in the life of the podcast. It’s a topic that’s important enough to stay on the mind of researchers all throughout their careers. Unconscious Decision-Making. Why does conscious and unconscious decision-making matter at this specific point in your research career?  The easy answer? Because your whole career is based on a series of choices!  Every yes and e...

Why is it easier to envision interpersonal contributions rather than intellectual contributions in your research career? In this episode, we dive into the reasons it can feel easier to imagine the impact you’ll have as a mentor and a leader rather than as a researcher—and the dangers of focusing on your interpersonal contributions rather than your intellectual ones.  Join me as I discuss why we ve...

Ever caught yourself saying one thing but doing another?  You're not alone. In this episode, I dive deep into the common leadership challenge of aligning what you say is important with what you're actually doing. I share a personal story that highlights just how easy it is to deceive ourselves about what we truly prioritize. (Hint: look at your actions, not your words) Join me as we expl...

Do your daily habits align with your career goals, or do they need a reset? I want to share with you both the successes and challenges of maintaining effective work habits. We'll go into the lessons learned from my own experience and how critical it is to protect your prime working hours to enhance efficiency.  As I take you on my personal journey of evaluating my habits, remember that it’s i...

What sets apart a thriving research career from one that merely meets expectations?  In this episode, I explore decision-making in academia, highlighting the transition from NIH Career Development Awards to your first big R01 grant. I challenge the notion that more time leads to better decisions, emphasizing instead the value of gathering information and taking courageous action.  I also take time...

As the K to R Essentials opens for new applicants, it’s one thing for me to say how beneficial it is. But it’s so much more impactful when you hear it from a fellow researcher who went through the program.  In this episode, I’m revisiting a conversation with a former K to R Essentials member, Kristin O’Grady. The mindset shift from mentee to PI doesn’t always happen overnight. Sometimes it’s a pro...

With so many potential research directions, how do I choose the right one? It’s one of the most common questions among K to R applicants. This difficult choice highlights the importance of creating a space for reflection and strategic planning, which is exactly what we focus on in the program's first month.  By establishing your vision and understanding the impact you want your research to ha...

In today's episode, we dive into a critical theme that's emerged through my conversations with K to R Essentials applicants: the importance of making decisions for yourself.  Moving from seeking external validation to trusting your expertise is pivotal in transitioning from a mentee to a principal investigator role. It's about embracing your ability to guide your career path based o...

Is K to R Essentials the right program for you?  Transitioning from a K award to securing your first big R01 is a pivotal phase for early career researchers. While a big part of your focus is probably on navigating grant submissions, preparing yourself to lead with confidence and integrity as a PI is just as important.  K to R Essentials is designed to support researchers in this critical transiti...

There are 5 questions researchers should ask themselves when contemplating any professional development journey, especially as we open the doors to the Spring 2024 cohort of K to R Essentials. As we continue our exploration of the program, I’m sharing these questions that can help you reflect on your professional development path and ensure you're making choices aligned with your career objec...

Wondering whether K to R Essentials is the right fit for you? As we open registration for the Spring 2024 cohort begins, let's dive into the essence of the program, pinpoint who it's perfectly tailored for, and clarify some common questions regarding eligibility. This episode isn't just a rundown of our selection criteria. It's an insightful look at how K to R Essentials could...

K to R Essentials is not a grant writing course.  It's a transformative four-month program that prepares you for the pivotal transition to becoming an independent researcher. Through a mix of curriculum, coaching, and community support, this program helps you take a moment to reflect, refine your research vision, and strategize your path toward not only R01 success but also long-term career f...

Mentorship is not the same as coaching. Even with great mentors who support you in pursuing the path you want, the “how” of it all isn’t often something they can help you with. Why? Because that’s the part you need to figure out for yourself. That’s where coaching comes in—helping you to find the answers for yourself and create your own path.  I’m revisiting a conversation with Kate Callahan MD, G...

Are you ready to navigate the journey from K award to your first R01 with confidence?  Join us for a special bonus episode as we dive deep into an upcoming info session for the next cohort of the K to R Essentials program. Scheduled for Thursday, March 7, at 10:30 AM PST/1:30PM EST, this info session is a golden opportunity for early career researchers to get a comprehensive overview of the group...

Stepping into the world of R01 funding is a pivotal point in your academic career.  It requires more than just a good research idea. It demands a transformation in your mindset.  In this episode, I’m going deeper into what becomes possible when you stop thinking like a mentee and start thinking like a PI—using my observations of our graduates of the K to R program as examples. Let their stories he...

Writing R01 grants is often described as entering the Big Leagues of grant writing. So in this episode we’re building on that analogy. You wouldn't expect to play in the big leagues without the proper training, right?  Similarly, navigating from a K award to PI and securing your first big R01 requires more than a good research idea and grantsmanship skills. You need a strong “base” to be able...