Biomedical Research Training for Veterinarians

抽象/总结

ABSTRACT/SUMMARY Multiple studies by domestic workshops and committees have concluded that the number of veterinary scientists trained in biomedical and infectious disease research falls far below national needs. The goal of this training program is to continue to address this personnel gap by providing PhD training in molecular and mechanistic research methods to enable post-DVM/VMD candidates to conduct translational research. The training program is built upon our strong history and experience in post-DVM research training at Colorado State University in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CVMBS) and melds molecular, multidisciplinary methodologies with translational application. Critical thinking in experimental design and data interpretation, manuscript and grant writing, publication, communication skills, and ethical conduct of research are stressed in this balanced and well-mentored program. New to this application is: (1) integration with the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus CTSA (Colorado Clinical Translational Science Institute, CCTSI) TL-1 training program; (2) greater emphasis and goals to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion; and, (3) additional emphasis on mentoring and professional development, with a particular focus on trainee NIH K award preparation. An exceptional and diverse External Advisory Board has been assembled to assist in strategy to further enhance the goals of this renewal application. The program action plan is to recruit rigorously selected, diverse, post-DVM/VMD candidates and provide training in translational research applications emphasizing experimental and/or natural disease animal models. The Program is fueled by an abundant supply of talented candidates and a large, elite faculty of well- funded mentors representing 18 research concentrations and all four departments of the CVMBS. Mentor faculty comprise 18% of CVMBS faculty and were awarded $22.8M in direct cost dollars in the most recent fiscal year. Ninety-four percent of completed trainees since grant inception (34/36) are currently employed in research related positions; 7 of 8 trainees (88%) who have submitted NIH K Series Career Development Awards have been funded; and 7 of 39 completed or enrolled trainees are from under- represented minority groups. All 15 appointees during this grant cycle have been women. The targeted outcome of the program is to continue to produce DVM/VMD-PhD scientists who emerge prepared as successful, funded principal investigators and contribute to translational biomedical research that addresses pressing and emerging problems and challenges in human, animal, and environmental health (One Health). The intent is that this training program represents a targeted action in response to a demonstrated need for more translational scientists to fill an alarming deficiency in the biomedical workforce and contribute to national and global research demands.