PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This new Institutional Training Grant (T32) application from the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) will
provide multidisciplinary and interprofessional research training for physician-scientists in emerging infectious
diseases (EIDs). The ongoing risk and likelihood of facing outbreaks and epidemics caused by EIDs highlights
a critical need for developing physician-scientists with trans-disciplinary skills in clinical medicine,
epidemiology, field investigation, laboratory science, and biocontainment. The program capitalizes on world-
class faculty expertise, longstanding institutional commitments, and unique research resources. It includes
targeted recruitment of candidates at local, regional and national levels. Candidates will be physicians who are
completing or have completed, an ACGME-certified residency or fellowship. One trainee per year will enter and
complete 2-3 years of training during the 5-year program. Training includes instruction and mentorship in 1)
team science; 2) research design, epidemiological methods, and biostatistics (MSc in Clinical Science); 3)
EIDs and outbreak investigation; 4) clinical and research biocontainment/biosafety; 5) responsible conduct of
research; 6) field epidemiology; and 7) scientific writing. Each of the trainees will apply their training by
conducting translational research while receiving intensive scientific and career mentorship through a novel
Team Science framework called individualized Multidisciplinary, Interprofessional Mentorship Team (iMIMT).
Each iMIMT will include the trainee, a primary and secondary mentor (a PhD scientist and a MD scientist), and
2 or 3 peer or specialized knowledge mentors. iMIMTs will receive regular Team Science training and
coaching. Instruction in grant writing will culminate in submission of an NIH career development application in
the last year of training. Regular, but limited clinical responsibility will enable trainees to maintain clinical skills
and learn how to manage a dual clinical-research career. Our 29 program faculty have productive translational
research programs in EIDs and a record of successful mentoring. They are complemented by collaborating
investigators from Peru, Colombia, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Brazil. Additional program support faculty
have specialized expertise for programmatic/operational support. The trainees' individualized development
plan includes well-defined training activities, expected competencies, indicators of success, and a timeline for
completion. Co-Program Directors and 3 Associate Program Directors will lead the program under Steering
Committee governance. Sub-committees will oversee trainees' recruitment and selection, mentorship, and
scientific progress. An External Advisory Committee will evaluate the program's progress annually. At
completion, our trainees will have strong trans-disciplinary understanding of EIDs, will be grounded in research
methods and outbreak investigation, will have tools for collaborative problem-solving, and critical skills in
manuscript and grant writing. All of these will facilitate their transition to an independent physician-scientist.