Scientific Management Accelerating Research & Tenure (SMART)
SMART is a dynamic, day-long scientific leadership and management program designed to empower early career faculty on the tenure-accruing or clinical scholar tracks to fast-track their research success. Geared toward those in the initial stages of building their independent research programs, SMART highlights the essential tools, strategies, and insights needed to confidently launch and sustain a thriving research career.
Program Goals
The SMART program is designed to help newly appointed principal investigators jumpstart their careers. Tailored for both basic science and clinical translational investigators, SMART fosters interdisciplinary collaboration and helps build a vibrant, supportive research community.
Topics include:
Launch and sustain your research program with confidence.
Build and lead high-performing teams through effective mentorship and motivation.
Use time management to balance research, publishing, and career growth.
Establish your personal brand and strategically market yourself.
Expand your network and cultivate meaningful collaborations.
Keep your research funded.
Understand how to stay on track for promotion.
Why SMART?
UT Southwestern is deeply invested in faculty success at all levels. The Office of Faculty Development is committed to equipping early-career faculty with the tools they need to thrive.
Becoming an independent investigator at a leading academic medical center is both exciting and challenging. Many of the critical skills — leadership, negotiation, collaboration, and research strategy — are not always explicitly taught. SMART bridges that gap, helping junior faculty navigate unwritten rules, break down silos, and maximize their impact across clinical and basic research.
Program Highlights
Date & Time: October 24, 2025 | 9 AM – 4 PM (in-person) Location: The Conference Center at Pegasus Park 3000 Pegasus Park Drive Dallas, Texas 75247 Registration: Opens June/July 2025 - stay tuned for the announcement!
Chair & Center Director Panel: Insights for Success
Hear from a panel of successful basic science and clinical leaders as they share their perspectives on thriving at UT Southwestern. Attendees are encouraged to submit questions during registration or ask them live after the panel discussion.
Panel Includes:
Ralph DeBerardinis, MD, PhD – McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, Children’s Medical Center Research Institute, Pediatrics
Lora Hooper, PhD – Immunology
Catherine Spong, MD – OBGYN
Joseph Takahashi, PhD – Neuroscience
Thomas Wang, MD – Internal Medicine
The SMART Toolkit: Essential Skills for Research Leaders
Engage with six clinical and basic science research experts who will deliver high-impact, TED-style talk. These interactive sessions highlight practical, actionable strategies to help you effectively lead and manage your research team and program.
Topics Include:
Getting Started – Vinnie Tagliabracci, PhD & Heidi Jacobe, MD, MS
Building & Leading Your Research Teams – Ondine Cleaver, PhD & Lina Chalak, MD, MS
Time Management & Resilience – Ayesha Zia, MD, MS & Jenna Jewell, PhD
Building Your External Reputation – Lisa VanWagner, MD, MS & Jen Liou, PhD
Securing & Sustaining Research Funding – Mike Henne, PhD & Anand Rohatgi, MD, MS
Lunchtime Roundtable Discussions
Participate in facilitated discussions over lunch, offering an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights from peers and mentors.
Plenary Session: Workplace Workstyles
Led by the Vice Provost & Senior Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs & Career Development, Alyssa Hasty, PhD, discusses customizing mentoring styles to support team needs and career trajectories.
Promotion & Tenure
Gain critical insights into the Promotion & Tenure (P&T) process, ensuring you stay informed and strategically positioned for career advancement. Russell Debose-Boyd, PhD, and Heidi Jacobe, MD, MS, provide practical guidance on aligning daily work with long-term promotion goals.
