Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
ABSTRACT The objective of the T32 Multidisciplinary Rheumatology Training Program at Johns Hopkins is to train and grow a cadre of outstanding rheumatologists and scientists to become leaders across the biomedical research enterprise, advancing knowledge and improving outcomes for those living with rheumatic disease. This goal is directly aligned with the NIAMS mission to support training of basic and clinical scientists to conduct research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases. Over the past 20 years, our program has demonstrated outstanding trainee achievement, in the areas of publications, appointment to academic positions, acquisition of peer-reviewed funding, and leadership positions in national and international organizations, including government and industry. In the current proposal we will pursue the following specific aims to meet our goal: (1) Provide rigorous training in investigational methods applicable to clinical and basic research; (2) Use clinical Centers of Excellence to access well-defined rheumatic disease patient populations; (3) Provide access to outstanding resources, methodologic, and analytical expertise to facilitate research success; (4) Engage trainees in high caliber collaborative research projects to address important questions across the spectrum of rheumatic diseases under the supervision of multi-disciplinary, nationally-renowned faculty; (5) Develop multi-layered, personalized mentorship teams for each trainee to foster successful investigative careers; and (6) Assess program outcomes and modify to ensure maximal impact. We have developed an outstanding infrastructure to support training and research that is grounded in disease-specific Centers of Excellence, closely integrating clinical care and research. This is linked to a highly productive and collaborative group of program faculty and mentors that incorporate multidisciplinary investigative teams to explore novel areas of research and ensure project success. Our diverse program faculty represent the breadth of interests and expertise across the clinical, translational, and basic science disciplines, and are proven mentors in rheumatic diseases, immunology, molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, epidemiology, and biostatistics supported by individual, collaborative, and institutional research grants. We have engaged highly expert internal and external advisory committees to provide advice about the program's priorities, systems, and directions. We use a matrix approach to develop multidisciplinary mentoring teams for trainees around specific research projects. These projects are guided by individual development plans, formal course work, and core conferences and include instruction on responsible conduct of research and ensure scientific rigor and reproducibility. Postdoctoral trainees may pursue a Master’s degree in Health Sciences, Public Health, Immunology, and Biomedical Engineering and additional coursework to further their investigative skills. Our innovative and highly effective training program coupled with this T32 resource will foster the development of the next generation of academic Rheumatology investigators and leaders.
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).
