Lani “Chi Chi” Zimmerman, PhD, is passionate about investing in the university’s own.
Dr. Zimmerman has done just that for more than a decade as director of the Clinical and Translational Research Mentored Scholars Program.
With Dr. Zimmerman stepping down from her leadership role within the program, officials are seeking a replacement.
“All of her time, effort and passion have been very well appreciated over the years and as a result, have made a huge impact on our campus,” said Jennifer Larsen, MD, Louise and Morton Degen Professor of Internal Medicine. Dr. Larsen is serving as interim director of the program until a replacement is found.
The program, which started in 2007, was created to develop post-doctorate fellows and faculty into independent scientists. Forty-two scholars have completed the program — 11 with PhDs and 31 with master’s degrees. There are 23 scholars currently enrolled.
Dr. Zimmerman said her interest in a leadership role was piqued during an informational session about starting the program. She immediately saw a role for the college of nursing within the program.
Dr. Larsen, then the associate vice chancellor for clinical research, tasked Dr. Zimmerman and Fausto Loberiza, MD, with developing and leading the program in 2007. After Dr. Loberiza left the university in 2012, Dr. Zimmerman was promoted to be director and began reporting to Dr. Larsen, by then the vice chancellor for research. Today, the director continues to report to the vice chancellor for research, Ken Bayles, PhD.
Dr. Zimmerman stood out as a leader, in part because of her experience with graduate studies, but also because of her experience with clinical translational research, Dr. Larsen said.
“Mentors play a key role in the program. Serving as a mentor within the program requires a unique skill set,” Dr. Larsen said. “Scholars are busy, juggling full-time work on campus.”
Dr. Zimmerman has motivated and shepherded scholars through the process. “For many faculty, being a student again is not a normal process. It’s a throwback to start over and work through that,” Dr. Larsen said.
To best help the busy scholars, Dr. Zimmerman always made herself accessible. She noticed when scholars struggled, and helped them craft a plan to complete the program and held them accountable.
Participation in the program is voluntary, and participants are highly motivated.
“They want to learn how to write grants, how to be successful with their research and how to ask good clinical questions. Their motivation is different, they do the program because they want to gain these grant writing skills,” Dr. Zimmerman said. “If they’re successful, the med center benefits, patients benefit, everybody benefits.”
During her tenure, Dr. Zimmerman helped to craft the program’s signature courses — Seminar in Clinical & Translational Research Grantsmanship and Multidisciplinary Team Science and Concept Building — or its “bread and butter,” Dr. Larsen said. Through her leadership, the courses have continued to evolve.
She also was the driving force behind opening the program to those seeking PhDs in addition to those seeking master’s degrees.
An interdisciplinary approach to clinical research is key, bringing a “richer science” to the table, Dr. Zimmerman said.
“If you have people taking classes together, there is more opportunity for them to be able to synergize with each other and do research together,” she said.
Many of the program’s scholars have seen success at UNMC and elsewhere, with some serving in leadership positions on campus.
Dr. Zimmerman made it a point to stay in touch with graduates of the program through surveys and casual get-togethers.
Leading the program has been rewarding, Dr. Zimmerman said.
“My skill set was teaching them how to do research, not teaching them how to treat their patients or practice. They have that expertise and knowledge,” she said. “The program and their mentors can help them learn how to put a grant together. In return, I learned a lot, met a lot of bright people and have gained great colleagues in the process.”
“Developing our own faculty into independent researchers is critical to developing and expanding our research,” Dr. Bayles said. “We are very appreciative of Dr. Zimmerman’s long service and success in attracting scholars into the program and developing them into leaders at UNMC.”
Applications for new scholars will be open on Oct. 1. Any faculty member interested in applying for the director position can submit their application here. Questions? Contact Dr. Larsen.
Wish you much success in your future endeavours Chichi! Congratulations and good luck!
Way back, we knew you were going to be among the best in the medical profession. You have always been a giving person. Congratulations, cuz…you are the best! Continue loving life and always being there for family and friends. Love you.
Congratulations Cheech,
I never really knew what your career was at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. I’m so in awe of what you have accomplished there, Dr. Zimmerman. I know you have loved it, as you have remained there a long, long time. I know Bus, Ella, Bill, and Jim especially are proud of you. We all are. Way to go Cheech! Enjoy all the accolades and your retirement!