My Journey as a Surgeon-Scientist Ten Years after Receiving the Inaugural Jacobson Promising Investigator Award

Defining the "Tipping Point" to Success as a Surgeon-Scientist: An Analysis of Applicants and Awardees of the American College of Surgeons Jacobson Promising Investigator Award

BACKGROUND

Since 2005, the American College of Surgeons has administered the Jacobson Promising Investigator Award (JPIA), which recognizes surgeon-scientists at the "tipping point" of their research careers.

OBJECTIVE

We retrospectively reviewed JPIA applicants to identify factors associated with selection for the award and future research success.

METHODS

Profiles were reviewed for all applicants between 2008 and 2018, at the time of application and as of 2019. Web of Science and NIH Reporter metrics were also reviewed for each applicant.

RESULTS

Eleven of 97 applicants were selected for the JPIA. At the time of application, awardees were more likely to have extramural (NIH K-award) versus intramural (KL2) or other career development award funding (55% vs 33%, P = 0.03) and more publications [median 70 (interquartile range, IQR 55-100) vs 40 (IQR 22-67), P = 0.03]. Post-application, JPIA awardees were more likely to achieve a higher h-Index and m-quotient compared to nonawardees (P < 0.001 for both). All JPIA recipients received new NIH funding post-award, including 82% with R01 funding, compared to 23% of nonselected applicants (P < 0.0001). Over $48 million from NIH was awarded to JPIA recipients since 2008, representing a 147-fold return on investment.

CONCLUSIONS

Selection for the JPIA is associated with previous extramural NIH K award and, on average, 70 peer-reviewed publications at the time of application. Receipt of the JPIA is associated with a high rate of subsequent NIH R01 funding and publication metrics. The JPIA is an excellent indicator of "tipping point" success in academic surgery and demonstrates the huge potential impact of philanthropic support on early career surgeon-investigators.

An Evolving Story of Translational Research: A Decade after the Jacobson Promising Investigator Award

THE THIRD JOAN L AND JULIUS H JACOBSON PROMISING INVESTIGATOR AWARDEE, MARK PUDER, MD, PHD, FACS: In 2005, the Surgical Research Committee (SRC) of the American College of Surgeons was tasked with selecting the recipient of a newly established award, "The Joan L and Julius H Jacobson Promising Investigator Award." According to the Jacobsons, the award, funded by Dr Jacobson, should be given at least once every 2 years to a surgeon investigator at "the tipping point," who can demonstrate that his or her research shows the promise of leading to a significant contribution to the practice of surgery and patient safety. Every year, the SRC receives many excellent nominations and has the difficult task of selecting 1 awardee. The first awardee was Michael Longaker, MD, FACS, who, 10 years later, reflected on the award and the impact it had on his career.¹ This year, Mark Puder, MD, PhD FACS, the third Jacobson awardee, reflects on his 10-year journey after receiving the award. Dr Puder is now a national and international figure in the field of intestinal failure-associated liver disease and has studied the effect of intravenous lipid emulsions on the etiology and treatment of a once fatal disease in children. Kamal MF Itani, MD, FACS and Brian S Zuckerbraun, MD, FACS, on behalf of the Research Committee of the American College of Surgeons.

My Continuing Evolution as a Surgeon-Scientist: A Decade after the Jacobson Promising Investigator Award

THE SECOND JOAN L AND JULIUS H JACOBSON PROMISING INVESTIGATOR AWARDEE, EDITH TZENG MD, FACS: In 2005, the Surgical Research Committee of the American College of Surgeons was tasked with selecting the recipient of a newly established award, "The Joan L and Julius H Jacobson Promising Investigator Award." According to the Jacobsons, the award funded by Dr Jacobson should be given at least once every 2 years to a surgeon investigator at "the tipping point," who can demonstrate that his or her research shows the promise of leading to a significant contribution to the practice of surgery and patient safety. Every year, the Surgical Research Committee receives many excellent nominations and has the difficult task of selecting one awardee. The first awardee was Michael Longaker MD, FACS, who 10 years later reflected on the award and the impact it had on his career.¹ This year, Edith Tzeng, MD, FACS, the second Jacobson awardee, reflects on her 10-year journey after receiving the award. Dr Tzeng is now a national and international figure in the field of vascular surgery and has studied the effect of nitric oxide and carbon monoxide on intimal hyperplasia. Kamal MF Itani, MD, FACS and Leigh Neumayer, MD, FACS, on behalf of the Surgical Research Committee of the American College of Surgeons.