Paul Estabrooks , PhD, MS

Over the past 20 years, Dr. Paul Estabrooks has developed strong expertise in applying dissemination and implementation science (DIS) methods and models across a range of content areas. Currently, he is working as: (1) an MPI for projects on implementation of rapid genome sequencing in the NICU (NCATS), obesity prevention in American Indian children (NCI), integration of social determinants screening and resolution in tobacco cessation (NCI), (2) a co-investigator overseeing DIS aspects of the integration of brain injury screening in organizations providing services to women experiencing intimate partner violence (NINDS), childhood obesity treatment in rural communities (CDC), reduced sedentary behavior in the workplace (NCI), and diabetes prevention in rural communities (NIDDK), and (3) a mentor on 2 K-awards focused on physical activity promotion post stem cell transplant (NCI) and integration of rapid genome sequencing in the NICU (NHGRI). Dr. Estabrooks’ experience and expertise in planning, designing, implementing, sustaining, and spreading DIS across a range of disciplines, settings, organizations, and professional groups will contribute to his ability to mentor post-doctoral trainees in applying DIS to pain research. In addition, he has a strong track record of mentoring early career professionals with a goal to promote professional development in DIS. Dr. Estabrooks has been the primary mentor for over 22 pre-doctoral, 5 post-doctoral, and 10 early and mid-career faculty trainees, who have had success in securing awards from the National Institutes of Health (6 R01, 2 project proposals within a U54 center grant; 3 R21, 1 R34 awards, 3 K awards), Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (1 comparative effectiveness; 1 engagement contract), the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (1 Public Health Scholar, 1 U01 award), the American Heart Association (2 pre-doctoral, 2 post-doctoral fellowships). Across these mentoring relationships he has developed processes to increase the alignment of expectations with mentees that begins in the interview process and includes continuous check-ins and regular communication to ensure that our shared expectations are met. Dr. Estabrooks key mentoring principles include providing opportunities to maintain effective communication and building trust through accountability as a mentor and mentee. He also regularly uses investigator development plans to assess mentee understanding and identify key areas of need to improve research productivity with an eye to work-life balance. Through this process, Dr. Estabrooks has been able to foster mentee independence using tactics that include a replication of the medical ‘see one, do one, teach one’ approach and providing opportunity for trainees to learn from a range of trainees, staff, and faculty. Finally, he is committed to addressing diversity across my mentoring relationships. Diversity in backgrounds and thought makes for strong researchers and research teams. Over the course of Dr. Estabrooks’ mentoring, he is grateful for the opportunities he has had to engage with early career professionals, with over 40% of my mentees being from racial and ethnic minoritized groups, first generation university students, and the LBGTQ+ community. These experiences have taught Dr. Estabrooks humility and flexibility in providing mentoring that is supportive and equitable to the specific needs of individual mentees. The research and mentoring experiences make him well-suited to serve as a mentor for the UP3RK program at the University of Utah and he is exceptionally excited to participate in this proposal and program.