Thursday, November 21, 2024
11/21/2024
The Environmental and Integrative Toxicological Sciences (EITS) Training Program at Michigan State University (MSU) produces independent investigators who have a strong understanding of a biomedical basic science, a foundational knowledge of environmental toxicology and outstanding training in conducting mechanistic and translational research. To earn the EITS dual major, predoctoral trainees must fulfill the Ph.D. requirements of their basic biomedical doctoral program as well as coursework, research and interactive requirements of the EITS. The EITS requirements include a mixture of courses focused on didactic, toxicology-oriented material, training in the handling and processing of big data, and introduction to emerging environmental health issues. This coursework, career development opportunities and multidisciplinary activities provided by the Institute for Integrative Toxicology (IIT), Center for Research on Ingredient Safety (CRIS) and the MSU NIEHS P42 Superfund Research Program Center (SRPC) impart a wider scope of knowledge and experiences than is available within traditional basic science programs alone. Once completed, EITS trainees are awarded a degree that recognizes the dual major (e.g., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-Environmental Toxicology). The postdoctoral training program involves not only conducting research in the laboratories of the training faculty but also gaining additional environmental toxicology experience and career-building opportunities. These additional opportunities are facilitated through participation in IIT and university-wide activities, as well as those offered by individual departments and the MSU Graduate School. The career paths of all EITS trainees are facilitated by the creation and implementation of an individual development plan (IDP). EITS graduates are uniquely trained to conduct independent and collaborative research in challenging areas that address complex environmental toxicological problems and go on to become leaders in academia, government, and industry. This training is facilitated by an attentive faculty that primarily come from seven basic science Ph.D. programs (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics and Genome Sciences Program, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Physiology and Neuroscience). Research for trainees is focused on understanding mechanisms of toxicity caused by exposure to various environmental pollutants such as planar aromatic hydrocarbons, metals, and inhaled particles. Their research spans various organ systems, encompasses gene-environment interactions and strives to translate findings from model organisms and cell culture to human relevant endpoints. This application requests support of seven predoctoral and two postdoctoral trainees, thereby continuing a highly effective multidisciplinary and interactive training program. The EITS combines formal and informal approaches to prepare graduates for leadership roles in mechanistic and translational research that aims to advance our understanding of adverse outcomes from exposure to environmental chemicals.
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).
