摘要：Mentoring is important for early-career HIV researchers; it is key for work satisfaction, productivity, workforce diversity, and retention of investigators in a variety of research settings. Establishment of multidisciplinary research projects often is accomplished through mentoring. The work of early-career HIV investigators frequently requires networks of collaborators, and networking is regularly facilitated by mentors. A structured mentoring program that avoids unnecessary conflicts or time burdens and connects early-career investigators with senior mentors from different disciplines may stimulate new networking possibilities and lead to effective collaborations among investigators with different skills and perspectives. Effective mentoring by focused mentors will likely contribute to the skills and networks of investigators necessary for the next generation of HIV investigators. Developing new investigators who are dedicated to HIV research is a task critical to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Research on HIV/AIDS has often moved forward when teams of multidisciplinary investigators worked collaboratively. 1 , 2 For example, collaborative work between epidemiologists and clinicians helped identify the set of clinical diseases that defined AIDS and the risk factors associated with disease progression. In addition, clinical, behavioral, and translational research have led to the approval of 31 different antiretroviral medications that interfere with HIV replication based on six different mechanisms of action. Furthermore, new investigations that focus on operations research, especially conducted internationally, are transforming the clinical battle against HIV in developing countries. These scientific accomplishments are truly spectacular; however, future success in ending the epidemic will fall to the next generation of investigators. Because innovation tends to occur among investigators working at the intersections of their fields, early-career investigators need to be mentored in the value of teamwork and collaborative research as well as in the pursuit of individual excellence. Thus, it will be critical to recruit, train, and establish the next generation of scientists and to help them work within multidisciplinary groups of investigators. Mentoring can help early-career investigators as they develop networks of peer investigators, invest in multidisciplinary research projects, and navigate through the different pathways for successful career development. 3 – 6 Mentoring, along with appropriate training, is necessary to prepare investigators to conduct research that will address health disparities and focus on HIV-associated morbidity and mortality, and will be especially important for early-career investigators. 7 – 13 Mentoring is often the difference between success and failure as early-career investigators develop skills and establish the networks of collaborations that span different disciplines. 14 Mentoring is often recognized to be a key factor for work satisfaction, productivity, and retention of investigators in a variety of research settings. 15 – 30 Many successful senior investigators cite a particularly meaningful mentoring relationship that played an important role in their own personal success. In addition, mentoring is a crucial intervention for developing a diverse workplace and diversity among investigators. 20 , 31 – 39 Traditional mentoring, usually one-on-one mentoring between a supervisor and a trainee, historically has been relatively unorganized. The specific strategies and methodologies for providing mentoring are not well documented, and the outcomes of these experiences are largely dependent on lucky pairings of well-suited mentors and mentees. Organized approaches testing various methods of mentoring will be required to study the beneficial outcomes associated with mentoring, in part because it is clear that multiple approaches are needed and investigators require different types of mentoring at different points in their careers. The continued development and success of new HIV investigators is critical for maintaining scientific progress toward understanding HIV and controlling the AIDS epidemic. Despite the high level of interest in HIV research, early-career HIV investigators face several new challenges. Flat or diminishing levels of research funding can create a disadvantage for grant applicants who do not have an extensive track record or clinical earnings or for whom clinical earnings have been a source of support for translational research. 40 – 44 Demands for teaching and clinical work can compete with the research effort and impair productivity. Also, the pool of young clinician-scientists has diminished and attrition to industry or nonresearch career paths has become increasingly common. 45 – 47 Mentoring is especially important to promote diversity and to support persons interested in disparities and health outcomes. Including these early-career investigators in research networks, supporting their research, promoting their independence, and building their skills may substantially contribute to their success.
