Collaborating for the advancement of interdisciplinary research in benign urology (CAIRIBU): outcomes, effectiveness, and future directions of annual CAIRIBU meetings.

The 5th annual CAIRIBU Meeting (CAIRIBU = Collaborating for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology) was held November 29-December 2, 2022 in Bethesda, MD and organized by the CAIRIBU (U24) Interactions Core. Altogether, nearly 100 individuals participated, representing U54 Urology OBrien Centers, P20 Urology Centers, and K12 Urology Career Development Programs currently and previously funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Several NIDDK Program Officers participated in the meeting, including those representing the NIDDK Central Repository and several urologic research consortia. The meeting included 36 presentations in 5 scientific sessions plus a take-home message session, 2 keynote (invited) speakers, networking and interactions sessions, and 3 poster sessions during which 44 posters were presented. Additionally, preceding the meeting was a 3-hour event targeting educational and career development needs of CAIRIBU trainees and early-stage investigators. Meeting attendees participated in lively interactive discussions for all events. The science presented during scientific and poster sessions represented the various areas of research among CAIRIBU and CAIRIBU-affiliated investigators. They included non-malignant prostate and lower urinary tract dysfunction; urinary tract microbes and infection; bladder function and physiology; neurourology in the lower urinary tract; and obstructions and calculi in the urinary tract. A primary objective of the CAIRIBU Interactions Core is to develop metrics for evaluating collaborative research initiatives. This requires understanding engagement within the CAIRIBU Community and whether it leads to cross-disciplinary interactions and collaborative research products and resources. The annual CAIRIBU meeting is one window through which the outcomes and direction of the CAIRIBU Community may be observed.