Friday, May 23, 2025
5/23/2025
Musculoskeletal Research Training Program - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The goals of this Musculoskeletal Research Training Program are to provide trans-disciplinary research opportunities for postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and medical students at Mayo Clinic and to train them to be future leaders of biomedical and musculoskeletal research. Musculoskeletal ailments such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, back pain, tendinopathies, skeletal muscle atrophy, sarcopenia and fractures are some of the most common reasons why people of all ages visit a doctor. They significantly impact quality of life, cause disabilities, and impose large personal and societal burdens. The repair, regeneration, or rejuvenation of musculoskeletal tissues and joints requires knowledge of complex and interconnected biomechanical, biological, and physiological processes. This program aims to train future biologists, engineers, physicians, and surgeons to solve orthopedic and musculoskeletal problems by providing outstanding research and educational opportunities within the setting of a state-of-the-art medical and research center. Forty faculty members, who are leaders in basic, translational, and clinical research of orthopedics and the musculoskeletal system, will mentor trainees by directing research projects and group discussions on timely topics. Peer-mentors provide new trainees with opportunities to receive advice and counseling from past trainees who successfully obtained independent fellowships. All trainees will receive training in the responsible conduct of research, data management, and in scientific rigor and reproducibility. Postdoctoral fellows (5 per year) and graduate students (2 per year) will engage in multiyear projects and receive training in grant writing and career development. They will be expected to submit applications for independent fellowships and to participate in a full array of programmatic activities, including but not limited to journal clubs, seminars, symposia, webinars, and scientific meetings. Medical students (2 per year) from fully accredited medical schools in the United States and her territories (i.e., Puerto Rico) will spend two to three months in the training program and are expected to complete a mentored research project and participate in programmatic educational activities. This blended musculoskeletal research training program values individuals from diverse educational and societal backgrounds. Our community benefits from the unique perspectives they bring to solving complex medical problems, identifying social determinants of musculoskeletal disease, and reducing the burden of musculoskeletal conditions on patients, their families, and our society.
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).