From Potential to Action: NINDS Awardees Navigate Diverse Paths to Success

Here we highlight outstanding neuroscientists who have used NINDS programs to become successful researchers in their field. Below, find personal stories of current and former trainees that showcase the benefits of various NINDS programs in the context of scientific careers and get real-world examples of how NINDS programs could help you.

Eduardo Candelario-Jalil, Ph.D.

Successfully transitioning to independence

• Research Supplements to Promote Diversity
• Grant Writing Workshop for Diversity Investigators

Daniel Colón-Ramos, Ph.D.

Serving the community as a scientist

• Research Supplements to Promote Diversity
• Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00)

Julia Dallman, Ph.D.

Thriving in the face of life’s curve balls

• NINDS Faculty Development Award (K01) [No longer supports re-entry; instead consider Research Supplements to Promote Re-Entry]

Rachel Dreilinger, B.S.

Make a difference by honoring your strength

• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II (R44)

Michelle Gray, Ph.D.

Leveraging your strengths into a robust research program

• Minority Biomedical Research Support (comprised of the RISE, SCORE, and IMSD programs)
• Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC)
• Predoctoral NRSA Fellowship (F31)
• Postdoctoral Institutional Training Grant (T32)
• NINDS Faculty Development Award (K01)

Corey Harwell, Ph.D.

Mentorship makes a difference

• Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC)
• NINDS Faculty Development Award (K01)

Franck Kalume, Ph.D.

Follow your passion, persevere, and seek the best possible training

• NINDS Faculty Development Award (K01)
• Grant Writing Workshop for Diversity Investigators
• Broadening the Representation of Academic Investigators in NeuroScience (BRAINS)

Zayd Khaliq, Ph.D.

Making a career at the frontiers of human knowledge

• Predoctoral NRSA Fellowship (F31)
• Neuroscience Scholars Program
• NINDS Intramural Investigator

Naomi Lee, Ph.D.

Building my identity as a Native American scientist

• NIH Intramural Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA)
• Native Investigator Development Program

Joaquin Lugo, Ph.D.

Leveraging opportunities to define your career path

• Predoctoral NRSA Fellowship (F31)
• Neuroscience Scholars Program 
• Postdoctdoctoral NRSA Fellowship (F32)
• Grant Writing Workshop for Diversity Investigators
• Broadening the Representation of Academic Investigators in NeuroScience (BRAINS)
• Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) Program (R15)

Susan Marino, Ph.D.

The benefits of an unconventional path

• Postdoctdoctoral NRSA Fellowship (F32)
• Research Supplements to Promote Re-Entry
• NINDS Faculty Development Award (K01)

Cassie Mitchell, Ph.D.

Believe in yourself, take risks, and never give up

• NINDS Faculty Development Award (K01)

Edjah K. Nduom, M.D.

From bench to bedside and back: balancing a career in medicine and science

• NINDS Clinical Fellowship

Ketema Paul, Ph.D.

Following your passions: creativity and science go hand-in-hand

• Predoctoral NRSA Fellowship (F31)

Azizi Seixas, Ph.D.

Addressing inequality through multidisciplinary training and research

• NHLBI PRIDE Program
• Research Supplements to Promote Diversity
• Faculty Development Award (K01)

Alexis N. Simpkins, M.D., Ph.D.

Integrating scientific and clinical practice

• Predoctoral Institutional Training Grant (T32)
• Predoctoral NRSA Fellowship (F31)
• NINDS R25 Research Education Program for Residents and Fellows in Neurology and Neurosurgery
• NIH Intramural Postdoctoral Fellowship
• NIH Intramural Loan Repayment Program
• NINDS R25 TRANSCENDS program

Catrina Sims-Robinson, Ph.D.

Embracing opportunities for growth to become a better scientist

• NINDS Faculty Development Award (K01)
• Grant Writing Workshop for Diversity Investigators

Mariana Torrente, Ph.D.

Finding your path to a fulfilling career

• Postdoctdoctoral NRSA Fellowship (F32)
• Institutional Research and Academic Career Development Award (IRACDA)
• NINDS Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award (K22)

Tyisha Williams, Ph.D.

Succeeding as a scientist at a primarily undergraduate institution

• Grant Writing Workshop for Diversity Investigators
• Broadening the Representation of Academic Investigators in NeuroScience (BRAINS)
• Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) Program (R15)