Interview by Jonathan Kersting
In this episode of the UPMC Health Plan Athena Podcast we talk to Dr. Doris Rubio, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Clinical Research Education and Training, Health Sciences, Director, Institute for Clinical Research Education, University of Pittsburgh
Discover more about Doris
Dr. Doris Rubio is the ultimate mentor, leader and supporter of women at the University of Pittsburgh.
In addition to her Assistant Vice Chancellor role, she is a professor of medicine in General Internal Medicine, Biomedical Informatics, Biostatistics, Nursing and Clinical and Translational Science. Dr. Rubio’s unique combination of leadership positions has provided her with a great understanding of both the organization and culture at the University of Pittsburgh. She is an invaluable resource to both faculty members and staff who regularly seek advice on pursuing leadership roles and she consistently works to promote women’s advancement and improve quality of life for others.
Dr. Rubio has extensive experience as a researcher, educator, mentor and administrator. She developed and initiated the Women IN Academic Leadership (WIN-AL) program that aims to provide women with the leadership skills and practical strategies necessary to address common challenges, advance in academia and achieve more success in their careers. She also initiated the Institutional Mentoring Program Across a Community of Color (IMPACT) program that was developed to connect new faculty of color from across the entire University of Pittsburgh to a network of other faculty of color through a year-long mentoring experience that occurs across the different schools.
As Director of Pitt’s Institute for Clinical Research Education (ICRE), she oversees and helps shape numerous training, degree-granting and career-development programs for clinical and translational science researchers and medical educators. At ICRE, she has directed or co-directed seven courses for postdoctoral fellows and faculty members and has mentored and advised many trainees and faculty who are women or from underrepresented groups. As evidenced by the IMPACT program and within ICRE, Dr. Rubio has been particularly committed to the mentorship and development of faculty of color and women in science. Her work in this area extends nationally, far beyond the boundaries of the Pitt community. With the goal of addressing the pipeline for increasing women and underrepresented minorities in science, she started the LEADS (Leading Emerging and Diverse Scientists to Success) program. Additionally, she began the nationwide PROMISED (Professional Mentoring Skills Enhancing Diversity) leadership program that includes career coaching for mid- to senior-level faculty who are committed to mentoring underrepresented people from diverse backgrounds in the biomedical research workforce.
Dr. Rubio has conducted research and implemented new practices on diversifying the biomedical sciences workforce and has led grants aimed at assisting trainees from diverse backgrounds to launch and sustain careers in the health sciences. Among other honors, she has received the Educator of the Year Award from the Association for Clinical and Translational Science, which recognizes a leader in clinical research education and mentoring.
She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Florida Atlantic University, a Master’s Degree from Florida International University, and a Ph.D. from Washington University in St. Louis.