488 Translational Science Competencies in a Virtual CTSA Internship Program

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The Workforce Development Core of the New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science (NJ ACTS) has developed an internship program for students to engage in virtual research projects across the CTSA Hub. We sought to evaluate how intern projects within NJ ACTS align with the competencies needed for translational science. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Core leads and researchers within NJ ACTS developed 34 projects that were completed by individual interns or pairs of interns. Forty-two professional, undergraduate, and graduate students across the 3 Hub institutions have completed semester-long intern projects. Intern mentors mapped their projects to the C-COMEND competency profile for translational scientists which were further aligned with the seven fundamental character traits defined by Translation Together. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: More than 75% of intern projects addressed the C-COMEND competencies in Personal Development, Communication and Dissemination, Project Management and Time Management. Few projects (< 10%) focused on skills related to preclinical or clinical research. The competencies needed for development as a Rigorous Researcher were most consistently addressed in the intern projects. Additionally, intern projects fostered a number of skills needed for becoming a Domain Expert and Skilled Communicator. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Taken together, a virtual internship program can be designed to introduce and/or refine the competency skills needed for translational science.