Saturday, May 31, 2025
5/31/2025
Penn Dermatology Research Training Program - Entering its 40th year, the overarching goal of the Penn Dermatology Research T32 Training Program is to recruit diverse young investigators into biomedical research careers pertaining to the skin and its diseases, and to provide them the training, mentorship, and skills to be successful in that career. Training and supporting the developing careers of the next generation of investigators in dermatology research is critical to research progess and innovation in cutaneous biology, skin diseases, and dermatoepidemiology, leading to novel treatments for skin disease and improvements in overall human health. To most effectively support trainees in dermatology research, we have developed approaches to: 1) recruit diverse trainees at early stages in their careers by exposure to the excitement and impact of dermatology research; 2) support the research and training of young scientists with established interests in the skin and its diseases; and 3) provide a rigorous and supportive training environment that fosters development of skin investigators across disciplines. To these ends we request support for: 2 long-term predoctoral fellowships to support the thesis research of MD PhD students, PhD students, or MD students pursuing a Masters in Clinical Epidemiology (MSCE) degree; and 4 postdoctoral fellowships for MD, PhD, and MD PhD scientists. A particular emphasis of our training program is to recruit and train physician scientists through a four-year dermatology research residency track. Our program involves 36 highly qualified trainers with expertise ranging from clinical epidemiology, genomics, medical informatics, microbiology, immunology, to developmental biology, stem cells, skin appendages, and regeneration. Training activities are tailored to the stages of training and the type of research conducted by the trainee. Trainees attend and present their research at a weekly Dermatology Research Seminar, a bi-weekly Trainee Power Hour, and an annual Scientific Symposium & Trainee Retreat. Trainees receive formal instruction in the responsible conduct of research, methods to enhance scientific rigor and reproducibility, biostatical and analytical approaches, data sharing, and other appropriate data science training tailored to the trainee’s individual needs. Skills workshops are conducted to develop grant writing and manuscript drafting skills. These activites complement a rich set of professional and career development activites facilitated by Penn’s post-doctoral and graduate programs. The training program is evaluated by conducting annual trainee surveys, by an external advisory committee that meets yearly, assessment of research output (publications, grants, awards), and tracking long-term career outcomes including leadership positions in academia and industry. These approaches have been highly successful, resulting in diverse, rigorously-trained independent investigators that go on to become academic leaders and independent scientists across the disciplines of dermatology research. Continued support of this Training Program will fuel new mechanistic understanding and therapeutic targets for skin disease, and improved health and quality of life for dermatology patients.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).