PIVOT - Early-Stage Investigator Course

People gathered teaching and learning

PIVOT (Principal InVestigator Organizational management Training for Early Stage Investigators [ESI]) is an interactive course including a combination of didactics and case studies on the following four topics:

  • Research Ecosystem (interacting with UCSF Research Services and NIH partners)
  • Organizational Management (leading and managing a team as PI)
  • Human Resources (hiring staff and collaborating with HR)
  • Finance (budget projecting, saving, and spending)

This program is a direct result of the feedback from UCSF junior faculty investigators on challenges faced during the NIH K to R transition. The course will provide foundational guidance for ESI to successfully launch their independent research programs.

 

Timing: The course will consist of four bi-weekly sessions in April through June (3:00p-5:00p on 4/23/25, 5/7/25, 5/21/25, 6/4/25). Session attendance will be required of all accepted participants.

 

Eligibility: Eligible faculty members are those who have a primary appointment in the Department of Medicine and are currently funded by an NIH career development award (K01, K08, K23, K99/R00 or named as scholar on K12/KL2), a recent R01, or equivalent award. If you are unsure about your eligibility, you are encouraged to apply. Though space is limited, there will be future sessions. Submit your application to this exciting program by clicking the button below.

 

 

 SUBMIT APPLICATION  

What our participants are saying:


 

Meet the Current Team

This program would not be possible without the work of the following team. Read on to learn more about them.

Jennifer Chen

Jennifer Y. Chen, MD, is an Associate Professor of Medicine in Residence in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at UCSF Health. She is a physician-scientist trained in hepatology, and her research program focuses on identifying novel pathways that regulate hepatic stellate cell activation and liver fibrogenesis. Based on the discoveries in her laboratory, she is leading projects on antifibrotic drug development and biomarker discovery.

Gabe Chamie

Gabriel Chamie, MD, MPH is an Associate Professor of Medicine in Residence in the Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine at San Francisco General Hospital. He has been conducting HIV and TB clinical and epidemiological research in sub-Saharan Africa since 2008. His research interests include community-based HIV testing, TB/HIV co-infection, TB transmission dynamics and behavioral economic interventions to promote prevention of HIV and TB in East Africa. His interests also include SARS-CoV-2 testing and inequities in SARS-CoV-2 infection in the U.S., as co-PI of the Aliados por la Salud (NIH-RADxUP) study in San Rafael and Planada, California. He has an active clinical practice in HIV and TB clinics and the inpatient Infectious Diseases Consult service at San Francisco General Hospital.

 

Leonard Telesca

Leonard Telesca, MSOD, is the Director of Administration and Finance for the Department of Medicine at Zuckerberg San Francisco General (ZSFG). In this role, Leonard strategizes, develops, plans, and implements administrative structures and funding streams to support all activities within the DOM at ZSFG. Leonard began his current role in October 2024 and has been with UCSF since June 2017. Prior to his current position, he served as the Division Manager for PCCASM and ID at UCSF Health, where he was responsible for overseeing administrative and financial operations within these divisions. Leonard holds a Master of Science in Organization Development, which has equipped him with the expertise to drive organizational effectiveness and support the department’s mission. Throughout his tenure at UCSF, Leonard has been actively involved in various professional groups, committees, and collaborations, contributing to the advancement of administrative and financial practices within the institution.

Pat Wirattigowit

Pat Wirattigowit, serves as the Research and Revenue Manager in the Department of Medicine, where he provides strategic guidance and support for advancing research initiatives. In this role, Pat mentors Post Award Analysts, advises Division and Finance Managers, and acts as a trusted consultant on research funding strategies and administrative policies. With over 15 years of experience at UCSF, Pat has built strong partnerships with campus stakeholders, driving solutions that enhance research administration and foster collaboration across teams.

 

Danielle Mizuiri

Danielle Mizuiri is a Program Manager in the Chair’s Office of the Department of Medicine at UCSF. She works with the Associate Chairs for Research to implement initiatives that support the research enterprise. Since joining UCSF in 2011 as part of a neuroscience lab, Danielle has contributed to research through various roles in clinical research and lab management.

 

 

Prior Team Members

Laurae Pearson

Laurae Pearson is the Associate Dean of Administration and Finance in the UCSF School of Medicine Vice Dean's Office at ZSFG.

Jon Rueter

Jon Rueter is the Director of Research Administration and Revenue Management in the Department of Medicine.

 

For questions, please click here to contact us.