Attention: Restrictions on use of AUA, AUAER, and UCF content in third party applications, including artificial intelligence technologies, such as large language models and generative AI.
You are prohibited from using or uploading content you accessed through this website into external applications, bots, software, or websites, including those using artificial intelligence technologies and infrastructure, including deep learning, machine learning and large language models and generative AI.

AUA Urology Scientific Mentoring and Research Training (USMART) Academy

Mission

To foster creative and impactful mentorship between developing urology physician-scientists and established investigators with an exemplary track record of leadership and mentorship.

Vision

The USMART Academy envisions a mentoring program in which every mentee experiences nurturing one-to-one relationships and community support, which in turn allows each of them to develop to their full potential as scientists capable of independence, impactful research, and giving back as involved members of the urologic research community. The USMART Academy provides an additional mechanism for creative interactions across the AUA between the mentor and the mentee, thereby accelerating the mentee’s professional growth, research collaborations, and career building beyond their local environment. The objective is to generate, not mentoring overlap, but complementary and independent training support for the mentees to reach their full potential.

History

The USMART Academy was first conceptualized in 2016 by the AUA Office of Research from discussions by the AUA Research Grants and Investigator Support Committee concerning the great need for strong external mentorship for young urology physician-scientists, specifically as they transition to research independence. The program was officially launched in 2017 at the Urology Care Foundation Research Honors Program and Reception. The inaugural cohort was established in 2018 with five promising urology physician-scientist mentees paired with five well-established mentors for a year of mentoring support. Since that time, the USMART Academy has supported 35 mentees representing a range of research areas as they continue their transition to independence as urology physician-scientists.

The 2024 competition is now closed. Information on the 2025 competition will be available in the fall. Please contact iheard@AUAnet.org with any questions.

View the 2024 Program Announcement Below:

2024 Urology Scientific Mentoring and Research Training Program Announcement [pdf]

Thank you to our past and current mentors! If you are an established researcher or physician scientist interested in volunteering as a mentor, please contact us at research@auanet.org for more information.

Jennifer T. Anger, MD Jeffrey Holzbeierlein, MD
Linda Baker, MD Brant A. Inman, MD
Trinity J. Bivalacqua, MD, PhD Ashish Kamat, MD
James Brooks, MD James Mohler, MD
Toby C. Chai, MD Curtis Nickel, MD
Michael Chancellor, MD Siam Oottamasathien, MD
Matthew R. Cooperberg, MD Roberto Pili, MD
Nicholas Cost, MD Margaret S. Pearle, MD
Michael Freeman, PhD David Penson, MD, MPH
Brian Eisner, MD Maryrose P. Sullivan, PhD

2024 Mentees

We are delighted to announce the 2023 cohort of mentees inducted into the USMART Academy.

Marcelo Bigarella, MD headshot

Marcelo Bigarella, MD

Fellow, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Roderick Clark, MD headshot

Roderick Clark, MD

Assistant Professor, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine

Lauren Corona, MD headshot

Lauren Corona, MD

Assistant Professor, Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC)

Ashanda Esdaille, MD headshot

Ashanda Esdaille, MD

Assistant Professor, Emory University

Izak Faiena, MD headshot

Izak Faiena, MD

Assistant Professor, Columbia University Irving Medical Center

Kathryn Gessner, PhD headshot

Kathryn Gessner, MD, PhD

Fellow, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Kathleen Kan, MD headshot

Kathleen Kan, MD

Assistant Professor, Stanford University School of Medicine

Pratik Kanabur, MD headshot

Pratik Kanabur, MD

Fellow, The Regents of the University of California, Los Angeles

Andrew Katims, MD headshot

Andrew Katims, MD

Fellow, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)

Nnenaya Mmonu, MD headshot

Nnenaya Mmonu, MD

Assistant Professor, New York University Grossman School of Medicine

Tristan Nicholson, MD, PhD headshot

Tristan Nicholson, MD, PhD

Acting Assistant Professor, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

Rodrigo Rodrigues Pessoa, PhD headshot

Rodrigo Rodrigues Pessoa, PhD

Fellow, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Nabeel Shakir, MD headshot

Nabeel Shakir, MD

Senior Staff Physician, Henry Ford Health System

Glenn Werneburg, MD headshot

Glenn Werneburg, MD

Resident Physician, Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Chris Zhou, PhD

Chris Zhou, PhD

Fellow, University of British Columbia