Dr. Millender’s fellowship project aims to adopt a Shared Mental Model (SMM) by re-framing and re-orienting the conventional practice of having a loose coalition of researchers to a team of interdisciplinary researchers using harmonizing resources via the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program and the Office of Research. The model, SMM, would inform the team’s ability to maximize the role of each team member in contributing to the delivery of fundable grant proposals. This allows the team to align action with shared values and adapt behaviors based on team performance and the actions of others. In brief, by learning the importance of using a SMM, members can successfully strategize team actions and more effectively coordinate research efforts.