Cellular, molecular, and biochemical sciences training grant

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Summary The Cellular Molecular and Biochemical Sciences Program (CMBP) at Ohio State University (OSU) draws faculty and trainees from four related molecular life sciences graduate programs: Microbiology, Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, Molecular Genetics, and the Ohio State Biochemistry Program. The goal of the CMBP is to create opportunities for student training not available through other programs on campus by providing: (1) a broader range of rotation choices, (2) interdisciplinary monthly meeting seminars and symposia, (3) coursework that includes an emphasis on the responsible conduct of research, scientific writing, rigor and reproducibility, and training in quantitative skills, (4) career-advancing components including professional development workshops specifically developed for this program, internship opportunities, and Individual Development Plans, and (5) faculty mentor training to ensure a holistic and supportive advisory environment conducive to trainee growth and development. CMBP is a rigorous program designed to attract top students to OSU, and the breadth and depth of the training provided will position CMBP graduates to make significant contributions to biomedical research in academia, government, and industry. In the past few years, sustained and significant institutional support has facilitated interdisciplinary research and graduate training at OSU. The unique combination of opportunities offered through the CMBP has already increased recruitment and retention of the very best graduate students, in particular from underrepresented minorities (URM) and students with disabilities. Strong matching institutional support has allowed us to exceed our goal of having one quarter of fellowships awarded to URM/disability/disadvantaged students, with 40% of the trainees supported over the last 10 years being in one of these categories. The resources requested in this proposal would allow us to build on initiatives developed over the last 10 years and continue to further develop a graduate training experience that spans a broad range of topics and activities in the cellular, molecular and biochemical sciences. Specifically, we are requesting funds to appoint eight students annually as CMBP fellows with funding initially for a year, renewable for a second year based upon adequate progress. Trainees will remain members of the CMBP after completion of their funding, thereby assuring their continued mentoring, training and development as they move forward to diverse careers in the biomedical workforce.