Mission Statement

PERFORM-KUH exists to prepare predoctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, physician-scientists, and early-stage investigators for successful independent research careers in kidney, benign urology, and benign hematology.

The program provides an integrated training environment that enables trainees to learn state-of-the-art scientific principles and methods, pursue creative and impactful research, receive structured mentoring and sponsorship, and develop the professional skills needed for independent career growth.

Program overview

The Philadelphia Program for Mentored Research Training in Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases (PERFORM-KUH) is a comprehensive, integrated research training program spanning kidney, benign urology, and benign hematology across the lifespan. It was created to bring together the strengths of Philadelphia institutions with established and emerging KUH research training capacity.

PERFORM-KUH replaces and expands upon longstanding Penn/CHOP T31/T32 programs in benign hematology, kidney science, and renal epidemiology. The program now broadens access to KUH-focused training across a consortium that includes Penn, CHOP, Drexel, Jefferson, Temple, and Fox Chase Cancer Center.

Vision

PERFORM-KUH seeks to build a connected Philadelphia KUH research training community in which talented trainees and mentors from multiple institutions can work across disciplines, share research and professional development resources, and strengthen the regional and national pipeline of KUH investigators.

Core goals

1. Build a Philadelphia-wide KUH research training community

PERFORM-KUH integrates well-established training environments at Penn and CHOP with predoctoral and postdoctoral programs at Temple, Jefferson, Drexel, and Fox Chase Cancer Center. The program assembles KUH-focused investigators and mentors across institutions to create a collaborative training community.

2. Prepare trainees for independent research careers

PERFORM-KUH prepares MD, MD/PhD, and PhD trainees for careers as successful investigators in academia, research institutes, industry, and related settings. Training includes hands-on research, structured mentorship, professional development, and peer or near-peer networking.

3. Strengthen the KUH pipeline

The program supports summer research opportunities for high school, undergraduate, post-baccalaureate, pre-professional, and medical students, with an emphasis on broadening access to KUH research careers.

4. Train and support mentors

PERFORM-KUH maintains mentoring-the-mentor programs, structured feedback, and mentor development resources so that trainees receive effective, responsive, and transparent mentorship.

5. Continuously evaluate and improve

PERFORM-KUH uses formal program evaluation, trainee feedback, Steering Committee review, and External Advisory Board review to improve the training experience over time.

Commitment to inclusion and opportunity

PERFORM-KUH is dedicated to stimulating early interest in KUH scientific careers among a diverse population of students and trainees. The program strives to lower perceived and structural barriers to entering KUH career pathways and to foster a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive research training environment.