MIRECC / CoE

SC MIRECC Core Update: Research Training with Dr. Natalie Hundt

What makes your Core unique?

Our Core focuses on providing research training to mental-health focused fellows in Little Rock and Houston as well as junior faculty and learners at all SC MIRECC affiliated sites. We are a crucial part of the pipeline from learner to independent investigator. Many of our newest SC MIRECC investigators, such as Dr. Juinell Williams who is currently onboarding as SC MIRECC faculty, were prior SC MIRECC fellows.

Q. What has your Core accomplished over the past year?

In February, we hosted the 2026 South Central MIRECC Grant Writing Scholars (GWS). This biannual training includes two components: submitting a draft proposal for review by two independent reviewers and a day-long didactic in which fellows and junior faculty learned tips and tricks for writing high-quality, fundable grant proposals. Our three presenters included Drs. Gala True, Monica Matthieu, and Terri Fletcher. Survey feedback from attendees indicated that they rated this training very highly, with ratings for writing the draft proposal at 9.6/10 and the didactic portion at 9.4/10. Cumulative program evaluation data from GWS attendees from past cohorts (2010-2024) indicated that 55% of participants obtained funding within 18 months of participation in the program.

Q. What are your goals for the coming year?

We hope to continue to recruit talented fellows, mentor them to funding, and inspire them to careers contributing to the VA mission. We are also excited to explore options to expand research training involvement beyond Little Rock and Houston, particularly with the expansion of our VISN. Finally, we are also exploring the role of AI in research training, including both uses and limitations.

Q. Whom would you like to highlight for their service to your Core?

I would like to recognize our three Grant Writing Scholars presenters: Drs. Gala True, Monica Matthieu, and Terri Fletcher, who all shared invaluable grant-writing wisdom; as well as the faculty of the SC MIRECC who participated as mock reviewers.

Last updated: July 20, 2026