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 15 mentees representing a range of research areas as they continue their transition to independence as urology physician-scientists. Due to its success since its inception, the USMART Academy expanded the available mentee positions and committed to increasing the diversity, equity, and inclusiveness of its participants.

The 2024 competition is now open! Applications are due 5 p.m. ET Thursday, December 14, 2023. Please contact iheard@AUAnet.org with any questions.

Apply Now

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

Brant A. Inman, MD
Linda Baker, MD

Ashish Kamat, MD

Trinity J. Bivalacqua, MD, PhD

James Mohler, MD

James Brooks, MD

Curtis Nickel, MD

Toby C. Chai, MD

Siam Oottamasathien, MD

Michael Chancellor, MD

Roberto Pili, MD

Matthew R. Cooperberg, MD

 Margaret S. Pearle, MD

Nicholas Cost, MD

David Penson, MD, MPH

Brian Eisner, MD

Ranjith Ramasamy, MD
Michael Freeman, PhD

Maryrose P. Sullivan, PhD

Jeffrey Holzbeierlein, MD

2023 Mentees

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

Eric Ballon-Landa, MD headshot

Eric Ballon-Landa, MD

Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Helen Bernie, DO headshot

Helen Bernie, DO

Assistant Professor, Indiana University, Indianapolis

Raju Chelluri, MD headshot

Raju Chelluri, MD

Fellow, Fox Chase Cancer Center

Smita De, MD, PhD headshot

Smita De, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor, Cleveland Clinic

Kirtishri Mishra, MD headshot

Kirtishri Mishra, MD

Assistant Professor, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center

Nicolas Montalbetti, PhD headshot

Nicolas Montalbetti, PhD

Instructor of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Maya Overland, MD, PhD headshot

Maya Overland, MD, PhD

Fellow, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia

Benjamin Ristau, MD headshot

Benjamin Ristau, MD

Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut Health Center

Alexander Small, MD headshot

Alexander Small, MD

Assistant Professor, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Hong Truong, MD headshot

Hong Truong, MD

Assistant Professor, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center