MOMENTUM, Mobilizing Opportunities for Mentoring, Exploration, Networking, and Translational research at the UM, provides a structured space for faculty and scientists to engage in collaborative problem-solving and advance their academic development.
Led by Alberto Caban-Martinez, Ph.D., D.O., M.P.H., professor, vice chair for research, and the interim provost for research and scholarship, the group meets monthly to address practical challenges in building research programs and advancing funding success.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to supporting early-career faculty as they build sustainable research programs,” said Kathryn McCollister, Ph.D., professor and interim chair of the Department of Public Health Sciences. “Creating space for mentorship, collaboration and shared learning is essential to strengthening both individual success and the department’s research enterprise.”
A Collaborative Approach to Early-Career Development
MOMENTUM is designed to complement existing mentorship structures by fostering peer-to-peer learning alongside faculty guidance. Meetings emphasize open discussion, shared experiences and actionable strategies.
Recent sessions have focused on developing five-year research plans, identifying funding opportunities and strengthening mentorship networks.
Dr. Caban-Martinez introduced a framework distinguishing the roles of sponsors, mentors, and advisors, encouraging faculty to build intentional, sustained relationships that support long-term career growth.
Participants also explored strategies for defining research priorities, aligning projects with funding landscapes and navigating challenges in emerging or sensitive research areas.
Strengthening Grant Readiness and Research Strategy
A central focus of the group is improving grant competitiveness through structured planning and shared resources.
Discussions have included approaches to building a coherent research program, preparing for NIH submissions and identifying diverse funding sources. Faculty also reviewed opportunities through internal initiatives such as the Leslie & Loretta Copeland Foundation awards, which recently awarded funding for two research projects and a virtual activity planned during National Public Health Week (April 6 – 12, 2026).
The group regularly shares funding alerts, professional development opportunities and tools to support proposal development, including workshops on grant writing, research strategy and scaling research programs.
Building Visibility, Collaboration and Skills
In addition to research planning, MOMENTUM addresses broader aspects of academic development, including mentorship engagement, professional visibility and collaboration.
Faculty are encouraged to strengthen their online presence through updated profiles and lab websites, while also expanding collaborative networks across disciplines, including partnerships in health care, artificial intelligence and population health research.
Recent discussions have also explored opportunities for skills development, including certification pathways and training in emerging areas such as AI-supported research methods.
Creating a Supportive Research Environment
By bringing faculty together on a regular basis, MOMENTUM fosters a culture of shared learning and accountability.
The group provides a forum to exchange ideas, refine research directions and identify opportunities for collaboration, while supporting faculty as they navigate the early stages of academic research careers.
Through this initiative, the Department of Public Health Sciences continues to invest in building strong mentorship networks and advancing research capacity across the department.
Written by Deycha Torres Hernández, published March 30, 2026.
