Project Summary
The Graduate Training Program at the Biology-Chemistry Interface at the University of Kansas aims to
innovate graduate training by (1) providing training across the biology-chemistry interface that
emphasizes rigor, reproducibility, and transparency for both students and mentors, (2) augmenting
career development for graduate students at KU through a broad implementation of Individual
Development Plans, and (3) continuing to strive for an inclusive environment that develops a diverse
population of scientists. This new program builds on a previous program with 26 years of support from
the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. This highly successful program has instituted a
Graduate Certificate Program in Chemical Biology to make its curriculum available to the broader
graduate student population, including international students. With this new application, we propose to
enhance reproducibility and career development through new coursework and mentor/mentee
experiences. In particular, we have redesigned existing coursework with a class in Careers in the
Biomedical Sciences and added a new course in Experimental Design. We have also implemented a
Mentor Training program to open a dialogue about rigor, reproducibility, and transparency in science
and mentee career development, while promoting an inclusive climate. A pool of applicants will be
nominated by mentors across the biology-chemistry interface in the Departments of Chemistry,
Medicinal Chemistry, Molecular Biosciences, and Pharmaceutical Chemistry. We project 10 trainees,
to be appointed for 2 years. The overarching goal of the proposed training program is to produce a
diverse population of scientists who are well-trained in rigorous and transparent scientific methodology,
experimental design, and data interpretation, and who have developed the professional skills required
to find success in a broad range of research-intensive or research-related careers.