Rheumatology Research Training Program - PROJECT SUMMARY This proposal is a new submission of a National Research Service Award for Rheumatology Research Training at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. The overall objective of this training program is to produce a diverse pool of well-trained scientists with the skills necessary to conduct rigorous and reproducible research in the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis, musculoskeletal, and autoimmune diseases. This application comes at a time of substantial and sustained growth in the research enterprise of Feinberg School of Medicine, including within the Division of Rheumatology. This application requests three postdoctoral training positions per year. The training program will be led by Drs. Yvonne Lee and Harris Perlman, who have complementary expertise that spans from clinical medicine to basic science. Drs. Lee and Perlman will be supported by an Internal Advisory Committee and an External Advisory Committee, who will assist in overseeing and monitoring the program to ensure appropriate and timely trainee progress. Trainees will be supported by a mentoring team, including at least one primary research mentor, one secondary mentor, and one data science mentor. The research mentors will be drawn from a diverse pool of 23 well-funded principal investigators, which include faculty from a variety of scientific backgrounds and disciplines, all with a common goal of improving the outcomes of individuals with arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Didactic opportunities include obtaining a Master of Science in Clinical Investigation through Northwestern University’s CTSA-funded, part-time graduate program, which focuses on producing clinical scientists knowledgeable about the complex issues associated with conducting sound, translational and clinical, patient-oriented studies. In addition, our program is attuned to challenges related to recruiting and retaining individuals in scientific careers and will provide a wellness program that assists in work-life balance, financial stability, relationship openness, and future planning. The training program will be supported by a rich and diverse scientific environment, which includes the FIRST-DailyLife Core Center for Clinical Research (NIAMS-funded P30) and the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (NIH-funded CTSA). Specific research priority areas include: a) development of organoid models, b) genetic murine models, c) precision medicine in human disease, d) mechanistic/physiologic research, e) outcomes/interventional research, and f) epidemiology/health services research. Through this training program, we expect to nurture bright, well-trained, academically- oriented postdoctoral trainees in their pursuit of a career in rheumatology investigation. By enabling them to synthesize information about the complex issues associated with conducting scientifically and ethically sound research, we will maximize the likelihood that they will be competitive in seeking independent research support, ultimately exerting a sustained influence on the field of rheumatology research.
