Now in its seventh year, the American Pediatric Society & Society for Pediatric Research® Journeys & Frontiers in Pediatric Research Program is a transformative career development initiative that empowers early-career investigators to advance the future of pediatric medicine. Investigators in the US and Canada are nominated by their Department Chairs to join the prestigious program.  To date, over 600 investigators have participated in the program. Nominations open in September.

SUBMIT A NOMINATION

2026-2027 APS SPR Journeys Sessions

(all times are CT, except for Mini-Gordon Conference)

Participants join small cohort groups that meet virtually for eight 1-hour sessions. Each cohort is led by two distinguished leaders in academic pediatrics, many of whom are APS and SPR members.
During the sessions, participants:

  • Share authentic and inspiring career stories
  • Provide research feedback
  • Facilitate meaningful networking and discussions with established cohort leaders

Friday, November 13, 2026

  • 10:00 – 11:00 am: Opening Plenary: Finding What Matters in Your Research
    Open to All – APS and SPR Members and Cohorts
    Keynote Speaker: Sallie Permar, MD, PhD

  • 11:00 – 11:30 am: Cohort Breakout Discussions
    Cohort Members and Leaders – Invitation Only

Topic: Science and Career Development
One-hour session between 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Exact 1-hour meeting time to be determined by Cohort Leaders

  • Friday, December 11, 2026
  • Friday, January 8, 2027
  • Friday, February 12, 2027
  • Friday, March 12, 2027
  • Friday, April 9, 2027

Cohorts will join in a high-energy Mini-Gordon Conference at the 2027 Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) Meeting, bringing everyone together for collaboration, innovation, and connection.

  • Tentatively, Friday, April 30, 2027 | 7:00 am – 12:30 pm ET
    Held in-person at the 2027 PAS Meeting, Minneapolis, MN

One-hour session between 10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Exact 1-hour meeting time to be determined by Cohort Leaders

  • Friday, May 14, 2027

Friday, June 11, 2027

  • 10:00 – 11:00 am: Closing Plenary: Finding What Matters in Your ResearchOpen to All – APS and SPR Members and CohortsKeynote Speaker: Bradley L. Schlaggar, MD, PhD

  • 11:00 – 11:30 am: Cohort Breakout Discussions
    Cohort Members and Leaders – Invitation Only

2026 Dr. Francis S. Collins Scholar Award Recipient

The American Pediatric Society (APS) and Society for Pediatric Research (SPR) are pleased to announce that Dr. Gabrielle Freire has been selected as the 2026 Dr. Francis S. Collins Scholar Awardee!

This award honors the remarkable scientific contributions of Dr. Francis S. Collins. It is presented to one outstanding junior investigator participating in the APS SPR Journeys 2025-2026 Program, in recognition of their promise and potential for future success in academic pediatric research. Dr. Collins is a physician-scientist who was director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 2009-2021, serving under three presidents. Prior to being appointed NIH Director, he led the Human Genome Project as director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, one of the 27 NIH institutes and centers. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, National Medal of Science, Presidential Medal of Freedom, among other awards and recognitions. Relevant to Journeys, Dr. Collins has hosted many trainees and junior clinician-scientists in his own lab over the years and spearheaded national mentoring initiatives to provide support to the next generation of biomedical researchers.

Dr. Gabrielle Freire leads an innovative and impactful research program that is transforming pediatric emergency care both in Canada and internationally. Her work has led to the first Canadian pediatric emergency implementation science laboratory, building the infrastructure needed to design and test interventions that standardize and improve the quality of pediatric emergency care. Dr. Freire’s impact on improving pediatric injury care is particularly noteworthy. She is deeply committed to mentorship of learners and early career faculty, and champions gender equity as Chair of the Women in Research Group at Pediatric Emergency Research Canada.

Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD
Former NIH Director

Gabrielle Freire, MDCM, MHSc, FRCPC
University of Toronto

Journeys Work Group

The Journeys Work Group plays a vital role in developing and shaping the Journeys Program each year. The group selects the annual program theme and identifies inspiring plenary speakers who help motivate and engage program cohorts. Members also bring together leaders from across the pediatric research community and provide guidance and training for cohort group leaders. In addition, the Work Group develops the content and speaker lineup for the Journeys Mini-Gordon Conference.

Brett R. Anderson, MD, MBA, MS
Term 2024-2027
Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Population Health Sciences & Policy, Director, Center for Child Health Services Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Eric Austin MD, MSCI
Term 2024-2027
SPR President 2025-2026, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Catherine Gordon, MD, MS
Term 2024-2028
APS Secretary, Treasurer

Steven Miller, MDCM, MAS, FRCPC
Term 2025-2030
APS Council, Professor & Head, Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia

Jingshing Wu, MD, PhD
Term 2025-2027
Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin

Michelle Brunoehler
Affiliated Societies & Events Director, APS SPR

Bruce Hammond, CAE
Executive Director, APS SPR

Interested in participating?

If you’re interested in joining or have questions about the program, please contact APS at info@aps1888.org.