Drug Action, Metabolism and Kinetics Training Grant - Project Summary: This pre-doctoral Pharmacological Sciences Training Program (PSTP) is a cross-disciplinary program that represents a merger of research training opportunities in the Schools of Medicine (Pharmacology) and Pharmacy (Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics) at the University of Washington. The mission of the PSTP is to train PhD-level scientists with broad expertise that spans the spectrum of pharmacological sciences, who will become leaders in the varied specialties of pharmaceutical sciences while acknowledging the value of diverse ideas and methods. The rationale for this program is that there is an endless need for improved medications, a basic understanding of disease mechanisms, expert analyses of pharmaceutical and clinical data, and scientific leaders in these areas of research. This focus distinguishes training provided by the PSTP from other pre-doctoral training grants available at UW. The primary objective of the PSTP is to develop scientists, equipped with the necessary background and training in the application of modern tools of research and instrumental techniques, to undertake and direct fundamental research related to drug action, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics. Trainees follow tracks that emphasize training in four broadly defined areas: (I) cellular and molecular pharmacology, (II) drug metabolism and toxicity, (III) drug pharmacokinetics, disposition, and delivery (IV) biological structure and drug design, which exist in the Departments of Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry, and Pharmaceutics. Didactic components involve individualized, highly multidisciplinary programs of coursework and seminars that are centered on the pharmacological and chemical sciences. Non-didactic training activities include a PSTP-specific journal club that includes sessions devoted to training in entrepreneurship, biotechnology career seminars, grant writing, formal presentations, and synergistic activities in training in rigor and reproducibility with other training programs. Career development activities include 'career' days that bring scientists from varied 'nontraditional careers' to speak with trainees, one-on-one industry mentors from Pharma and Biotech, and industry internships. The program brings together 34 well-funded faculty members whose research emphasizes training in mechanisms and regulation of cell signaling, neuropharmacology, structural analysis of pharmacologically relevant protein-ligand interactions, mechanistic and bio-analytical aspects of drug metabolism and toxicology, pharmacogenetics, and pharmacokinetics/dynamics. Underrepresented and disadvantaged students are actively recruited through several activities. In this competitive application to continue the PSTP at UW, support is requested for 14 pre-doctoral trainees per year, which will be split between two cohorts of 7 trainees in the 2nd and 3rd year of graduate training. The selection of trainees will be on a competitive basis from the pool of students in years 1-3 while prioritizing candidates from underrepresented backgrounds.
