Sunday, May 11, 2025
5/11/2025
Clinical and Translational Training Program in Pulmonary Medicine - Project Summary/Abstract This postdoctoral research training program in pulmonary and critical care medicine, open to MDs and PhDs in health sciences, is in its fourteenth year. It is designed to provide 2-3 years of support for training in clinical and translational research and offers optional participation in the Vanderbilt Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI) and Master of Public Health (MPH) programs. Since its inception, 27 trainees have joined the program, 18 MDs, 3 MD/PhDs, and 5 PhDs. This program has gender and racial/ethnic diversity with 27% female trainees. And 15% under-represented minorities; to further improve diversity and inclusion, we have established a comprehensive diversity recruitment program in collaboration with our Office for Diversity in Medical Education and Office of Minority Student Affairs. Ten of 27 trainees have participated in the MSCI program, and two in the MPH Program. The vast majority of our graduates have gone on to primary research or research-related careers in academic medicine. In addition, 27 junior faculty have participated in our innovative mentor-in-training program. Given the success of the first 14 years, we are requesting renewal of funding support. Remarkable advances in the prevention, treatment, and management of acute and chronic disease have occurred in past decades. However, there is growing national concern that expert clinical investigators who can translate new research findings to practice are decreasing in numbers. It has never been more important to create and maintain a cadre of well-trained translational and clinical scientists, given the unprecedented developments at the cellular and molecular level, including knowledge of the human genome and the advent of big data science. Vanderbilt has a very successful history in developing well trained researchers who have the vision and the skills with which to embark on successful careers in academic research, both basic and clinical. This innovative training program, "Clinical and Translational Research Training Program in Pulmonary Medicine" focuses on mentoring researchers in all aspects of clinical and translational research necessary to prepare them for the unique challenges associated with advancing science in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. The program accepts 2-3 new trainees per year (maximum 5 participants/yr) selecting applicants who show exceptional aptitude for successfully pursuing an academic research career. The program offers trainees opportunities to explore hypotheses anywhere on the continuum of translational research in four core areas: Airway Disease, Pulmonary Vascular Disease, Parenchymal Lung Disease and Critical Care Research; all of these are areas of international recognition and research presence for Vanderbilt. The Program Directors lead a team of expert mentors in these areas who are engaged in successful academic research careers, who play significant roles in supporting trainees in developing research skills; applying those skills; identifying and resolving research-related process problems; and understanding and applying the principles of responsible conduct of research. The overarching goal is to prepare trainees to utilize the skills they acquire in the pursuit of future academic research careers.
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).