TCORS: Career Enhancement Core (CEC)

Career Enhancement Core (CEC)

The Career Enhancement Core (CEC) serves as the hub within CAsToR to promote and support the career development of new and early-stage investigators. The overall goal of the CEC is to support the advancement of junior researchers in becoming independent Tobacco Regulatory Science (TRS) investigators who use, or collaborate with others who use, simulation and computational modeling approaches in TRS. The CEC provides and connects junior investigators with collaborative research experiences, educational activities, mentorship, professional networking opportunities, and scientific communications training in TRS, with an emphasis on simulation and computational modeling research.

Leads

David Mendez, PhD
University of Michigan
David Mendez, PhD
University of Michigan: Professor of Health Management and Policy
Positions: Administrative (ADMIN) Core; Career Enhancement Core (CEC); CAsToR Principal Investigator; Research Project 2
Webpage: sph.umich.edu
UM Experts: experts.umich.edu
Dr. David Mendez is PI for CAsToR at the University of Michigan and Core Lead for the Career Enhancement Core (CEC) and Project Lead for Research Project 2. He is also a member of the CAsToR Steering Committee. Dr. Mendez is an Professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on modeling trends of cigarette smoking cessation or switching to e-cigarettes. Dr. Mendez’s research also investigates the financial implications of these trends, with specific focus on tobacco control in the United States.
Ritesh Mistry, PhD
University of Michigan
Ritesh Mistry, PhD
University of Michigan: Associate Professor, Health Behavior and Health Education, Associate Professor of Global Health
Positions: Career Enhancement Core (CEC); Research Project 4
Webpage: sph.umich.edu
UM Experts: experts.umich.edu
Dr. Ritesh Mistry is Core Lead for the Career Enhancement Core (CEC) and co-Investigator of Project 4 and a member of the CAsToR Steering Committee. Dr. Mistry is an Associate Professor of Health Behavior and Health Education, Associate Professor of Global Health at the University of Michigan. His research focuses on evaluating health disparities in smoking trends, as well as adolescent tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposures in global settings.

The CEC Welcomes CAsToR Trainees! (PDF)

Are you a new CAsToR trainee? The CEC is here to support you with a variety of resources and activities. In addition to its primary research projects, CAsToR has three cores designed to support our investigators, trainees, and staff, including the Career Enhancement Core (CEC). The CEC offers a variety of resources and activities that aim to support the career development of junior researchers in Tobacco Regulatory Science (TRS) and simulation modeling, and we also strive to connect you with additional career development resources.

Read “Welcome to CAsToR from the CEC” (PDF)

Activities

The CEC coordinates a variety of activities that aim to support the career development of junior researchers in Tobacco Regulatory Science (TRS) simulation modeling.

Webinars focused on TRS and modeling
Scientific communication workshops
Writing Accountability Groups
Retreats with CAsToR senior investigators
Symposia: May 2023 Symposium • June 2021 Symposium
Courses in tobacco modeling:
- UM’s Summer Session in Epidemiology — scholarships to “Simulation of Modeling of Tobacco Use, Health Effects and Policy Impacts”
- An Introduction to the Analysis of Trends and Transitions for Tobacco and Public Health Research
Online course: Tobacco & Nicotine: Public Health, Science, Policy, and Law
Pilot funds program
Grant writing support
Passport program with CASEL
One-on-one scientific communication consultations

Additional TRS resources of particular interest to junior researchers are listed here.

Questions? Please contact Molly Coeling (mcoeling@umich.edu), CEC Project Coordinator. We also welcome your suggestions for upcoming webinars, workshops, and other activities.

Upcoming Events View all events

CAsToR Individual Development Plan: DATE: Tue Apr 30, 2024; Create your personalized career development plan. An IDP is a communication tool to support setting and reaching professional goals in collaboration with your mentor(s). In this workshop, you will: • Create an IDP using a self-assessment process and template developed specifically for CAsToR trainees & junior investigators (general skills, TRS competencies, and tobacco modeling competencies for modelers or modeling collaborators)
• Establish career and research goals
• Create a roadmap to reach your goals This workshop is open to CAsToR trainees & junior investigators only. All CAsToR trainees & junior investigators are encouraged to participate. Join us on Zoom on Tuesday, April 30th from 12-1:30pm ET. Registration is required. Please register by Friday, April 26th. We will ask that you complete a portion of the self-assessment ahead of time.
CAsToR Webinar with Ben Apelberg and Mitch Zeller: A Conversation about the Use of Computational Models in Tobacco Regulation: DATE: Thu May 30, 2024; Dr. Ben Apelberg will provide brief remarks on how tobacco modelers can make their work as valuable and practical as possible for tobacco regulatory authorities. Mitch Zeller will provide commentary on Dr. Apelberg’s remarks, and both speakers will then participate in a discussion. Questions from the audience are welcomed and encouraged. Registration is required. All registrants must be approved by CAsToR to join this webinar. Questions? Please contact Molly Coeling at mcoeling@umich.edu.

Recent Video View all video

Developing the Approach Section for Tobacco Regulatory Science Proposals: DATE: Tue Apr 02, 2024; Panelists will each provide a brief presentation on developing the Approach section in the context of TRS proposals. There will be sufficient time for Q & A, and registrants will be offered the opportunity to submit questions prior to the event. This event is open to all TRS investigators. Registration is required. Please register by Friday, March 29th. For more information, please contact Molly Coeling at mcoeling@umich.edu.