T32 Predoctoral UNR Interdisciplinary Basic Biomedical Sciences Training Program - Modified Project Summary/Abstract 1T32GM156538 - 01 The proposed T32 program will serve as an organizing principle for five overlapping interdisciplinary training programs that will drive the improvement of training in basic biomedical sciences and new initiatives, including increasing recruitment and admission of trainees. Our program will enroll five trainees each year for two years of T32 stipend and fee support. Four trainees will be supported by NIGMS plus one trainee supported by the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) to achieve a critical mass of ten trainees receiving stipend and fee support each year at buildout. Each trainee will receive a stipend plus full tuition and fees during the second and third years of predoctoral training with UNR covering the 40% not covered by NIGMS. All trainees will be supported by program activities until completion of the Ph.D. (e.g., mentoring, seminars, research symposium, etc.). Our objectives to provide predoctoral training in Interdisciplinary Basic Biomedical Sciences are: 1) We will implement new courses and activities including GRAD 711/712 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Research, Interdisciplinary Basic Biomedical Sciences Laboratory Rotations, GRAD 721/722 Quantitative Approaches in Basic Biomedical Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Basic Biomedical Sciences Seminars 2) We will require selected existing courses for T32 trainees including PHAR 725 Ethics in Scientific Research, BCH 703 Grant Writing for Molecular Bioscience, and a graduate-level course in Programming, Data Science, or Computer Science, 3) We will implement a new mentoring program (two scientific co-mentors, staff mentors, and peer mentors), 4) We will increase the participation of trainees in opportunities to broaden their training and better prepare them for academic or non-academic careers, 5) We will organize an annual UNR Interdisciplinary Biomedical Sciences Symposium. Our objectives to increase the number of our trainees are: 6) We will implement in-person recruitment activities including workshops and face-to-face interviews with undergraduates at regional PUIs, national meetings, and with UNR programs that serve students in biomedical research, and 7) We will improve processes to evaluate applications and make admissions decisions by providing admissions committees with resources and guidance to better evaluate applications. The Training Program includes regular and repeated exposure to concepts in Responsible Conduct of Research and in Rigor and Reproducibility in both didactic and discussion courses. Trainees will complete their degree supported by an individual training grant (e.g., NIH F31), the mentor’s research funding, or an institutional Research or Teaching Assistantship.
