UCSC Graduate Program in Genome Sciences - ABSTRACT The UCSC Graduate Training Program in Genome Science combines cutting-edge computational biology training in a multidisciplinary biomedical science and engineering environment. Among other strengths, UC Santa Cruz is a world leader in computational biology, bioinformatics, genomic technologies and RNA biology. The goals of the program are to prepare trainees for advanced academic and industry careers in biomedical genomics. Our training program develops critical thinking skills, provides rigorous hands-on training in computer science, statistics, and biological sciences, and develops scientific communication skills. The proposed program will provide support for six trainees, each with a two-year appointment. Our trainee applicant pool consists of PhD students who have already joined UCSC’s interdisciplinary genomics and biomedical sciences community and completed three hands-on laboratory rotations during their first year of study, at least one of which must be conducted in the laboratory of a GS Program faculty member. Genome Science trainees participate in several innovative training activities. Each year, our trainees will organize and run a bootcamp for each year’s incoming PhD cohort of students who are accepted by the Dept. of Biomolecular Engineering. This 10-day activity is designed and implemented by the T32 trainees with feedback and guidance from faculty. The centerpiece of the bootcamp is an ambitious hands-on activity for the incoming grad cohort to tackle. Previous activities have included building a functional DropSeq single-cell RNA sequencing machine (2017), as well as genome sequencing and assembly of the banana slug – UCSC’s mascot (2019). Trainees receive training in labs of 26 faculty, including a winner of the MacArthur Award, members of the National Academy of Sciences, and a Nobel Laureate. Formal coursework for trainees includes graduate- level instruction in bioethics, programming, practical genomics, statistics, and scientific writing. These courses cover essential topics in rigor and reproducibility and responsible conduct of research. Working with the Graduate Advising Committee and their faculty mentors, trainees develop Individual Development Plans which may involve further coursework to address specific deficiencies or special interests. In coordination with the NHGRI DAP program, trainees will also serve as mentors to undergraduate students. Program success will be assessed via several quantitative metrics of trainee productivity, such as the timing and number of publications and success in applying for extramural research funds, as well as career outcomes that are tracked following the award of PhDs. These metrics will be assessed by the Genome Sciences Executive Committee. The program is interdisciplinary, including 26 program faculty from 8 departments. Most trainees and approximately half of program faculty are affiliated with the Biomolecular Engineering Department, as nearly all BME faculty have genomics-focused research programs.
