Scope of Work
CareerTrac is an online web application for NIH staff to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of its health research training programs. The system ties together the institute and program sponsors to ensure that training participants are monitored and that their achievements resulting from training are publicized. On a day-to-day basis, CareerTrac is used mostly by the Principal Investigators that manage their institute's grants.
Skills and Expertise Required
The CareerTrac technical infrastructure was recently updated to use the Grails application framework. CareerTrac is a java application running on Red Hat Linux and using the Jboss Web application server. The database is MS SQL Server. In addition to updating the technical stack, the application underwent a complete redesign of the User Interface with a focus on improving usability.
The CareerTrac application also interfaces with large external databases, such as IMPAC II and PubMed. Through these connections, CareerTrac imports current data related to grants, institutions, publications, etc. on a nightly basis.
Results/Impact
An objective of the system is to help the Fogarty International Center (FIC) in overall coordination of its various research training programs. CareerTrac accomplishes its purpose by providing the ability to collect, track, and report on information about international trainees - such as Contact Information, Biographical Information, and Training Information. The CareerTrac system also supports tracking of trainee Accomplishments - such as fellowships, awards, employment, other education, product or policy developments, publications, funding received, presentations, posters at scientific conferences, and students taught.