Elevating Workforce Proficiency in Pediatric Disabilities through Interdisciplinary Research Training Program

The proposed Research Education Program, PRIME-PEDS (Proficiency in Research and Innovation for Multidisciplinary Education in Pediatrics), will immerse undergraduate and graduate students in a structured, 12-week research training experience focused on pediatric rehabilitation, safety, and assistive technology. Hosted at the University of North Florida, the program integrates interdisciplinary training in biomedical engineering, behavioral science, and clinical research through mentored research projects, coursework, expert seminars, and direct exposure to clinical and community environments. Students (from Physical Therapy, Kinesiology, Engineering, Biomedical Sciences) will collaborate in small, cross-disciplinary teams to design and conduct research addressing real-world challenges related to mobility, balance, diagnostics, and assistive technology for children with disabilities. Examples of core training components include modules on pediatric motor control, ultrasound imaging, biomedical research ethics, clinical assessments, adaptive toy design, 3D printing, computer modeling, and seizure detection. Participants will engage in hands-on data collection and analysis, guided by faculty mentors and supported by partnerships with clinical (e.g., Mayo Clinic, UF Pediatrics) and industry collaborators (e.g., Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic). The program emphasizes scientific rigor, translational relevance, and interprofessional communication, preparing students for advanced study and careers in biomedical and rehabilitation sciences. Building on prior NICHD-sponsored training efforts at the University of North Florida, PRIME-PEDS leverages an established Experiential Learning framework within the PI’s laboratory, which actively engages students from multiple biomedical majors in mentored research. This foundation enables early-stage trainees to access interdisciplinary, hands-on experiences that promote long-term engagement in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research careers. Project Number: 1R25HD116676-01A1 | Fiscal Year: 2026 | NIH Institute/Center: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) | Principal Investigator: Guilherme Cesar | Institution: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA, JACKSONVILLE, FL | Award Amount: $159,972 | Activity Code: R25 | Study Section: Special Emphasis Panel[ZRG1 BP-Y (51)] View on NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11329564