About the Nathan Shock Center Mentorship Program

The Oklahoma Nathan Shock Center (NSC) Mentorship Program provides intensive one-on-one mentoring nationwide to early-stage investigators by senior NSC-affiliated faculty, and co-mentor(s) as needed. This includes, but is not limited to, guidance and advice on building a new research direction or strengthening an existing aging research program in aging/geroscience, submitting a federal grant application, career advancement, and navigating the aging/geroscience research field.

We work with Mentees to formulate specific goals, engage in regular communications, and periodically bring individuals to Oklahoma City for in-person visits with their mentorship team and the NSC leadership.  All costs are paid by the NSC. Mentees participate in 1-on-1 discussions and brainstorming meetings, receive hands-on training, or engage in other activities designed to advance their career goals. Although in-person interactions are preferred, some of these activities are conducted remotely, if needed. Depending on career stage, we work with Mentees to develop independent, strong research programs and provide mentorship for transition/mentored research applications, or R01-type applications.

Our Mentees are strongly encouraged to attend the annual Oklahoma Geroscience Symposium, with all costs supported by the NSC, where they can present their work, meet with their mentors and NSC leaders, and attend a Mentorship Program dinner with their mentors and NSC leadership. In addition, we offer two competitive travel awards annually for Mentees to attend aging or age-associated disease conferences in the US.  While we expect most Mentees’ goals to be achieved in 12-16 months, mentorship may continue as needed to attain specific goals. Mentees are selected based on career stage, merit, and potential impact of their program on aging and age-associated disease research, applications that respond to a continuing RFA until all available openings are filled. We re-open the RFA as Mentees leave the program or as additional mentor teams are identified. Mentees are selected based on career stage, professional merit, and potential impact of their program on aging and age-associated disease research.

While this program is open to all investigators, we prioritize applications from outstanding K, T32, and R25 awardees, and from institutions without a program in aging research. Applications from recent recipients of NIH career development awards or similar are welcome. Mentees' progress is evaluated by their Mentorship Team semiannually and reviewed by the Mentorship Program Director, Dr. Ann Chiao.