(A1016) Modeling Demographic and Trainee Research Productivity Predictors of K-to-R Transition for Otolaryngology-Scientists: Preliminary Survey Results

Introduction: The transition from mentored career development awards (K awards) to independent research grants (R awards) is a pivotal milestone in a researcher’s career. This survey study aims to identify demographic and research productivity factors that predict successful K-to-R transition.

Methods: We distributed surveys via email to NIH-funded otolaryngology-scientists. We performed a binomial logistic regression to assess demographic and research productivity predictors of K-to-R transition. Likelihood ratio stepwise regression was used to trim our model and evaluate the most predictive measures of age and research productivity. We analyzed age at completion of key phases of career development, approximate number of publications in various trainee stages, sex, and race. SPSS v29 was used for statistical analysis.

Results: 46 participants with complete responses (93.9%) were included in final analysis. 23 (50.0%) underwent the K-to-R transition, 31 (67.4%) were male, and 29 (63.0%) were white. Stepwise regression revealed age at first grant and number of medical school publications as the most predictive measures for age and research productivity. The mean age at first grant was 35.22 years and most participants had 1-5 medical school publications. Multivariate logistic regression analyzing these two measures in combination with race and sex revealed a negative association with age at first grant only (p=0.023). First grant age only was significant in univariate analysis (p>0.05). The multivariate model was able to correctly predict K-to-R transition in 69.6% of cases in this cohort.

Conclusions: Age at first grant and medical school publications were the most predictive age and research productivity measures for successful K-to-R transition. However, accounting for all included variables, younger age at first grant only was significantly associated with increased transition odds. These findings suggest that early career achievements may correlate with improved chances of transitioning to R grants.