Training Program in Pediatric Endocrinology

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Project Summary/Abstract The objectives of the UCSF Pediatric Endocrinology T32 Training Program are to: 1) Recruit a superb and diverse group of Fellows committed to academic careers in Pediatric Endocrinology. 2) Provide an academic “incubator” for each Fellow that provides a rich and lasting mentored experience and fosters scientific career development. 3) Develop the next generation of leaders and mentors in Pediatric Endocrinology. Hormonal systems regulate key physiologic processes in virtually all organ systems, and are especially important for growth, reproduction and carbohydrate homeostasis; these are areas addressed by Pediatric Endocrinology. There is currently a national shortage of Pediatric Endocrinologists that is at-risk of worsening without funded training programs. Furthermore, well-trained academic Pediatric Endocrine investigators are needed to advance this complex and rapidly developing field. The Program at UCSF is open to physician scientists, with either MD or MD/PhD, who are pursuing research in Pediatric Endocrine related programs. Trainees will be funded by this T32 grant for 1-3 years, and devote at least 80% of their time to their research efforts. Fellows take a summer workshop in clinical research or related introductory core courses in basic science; a course in Responsible Conduct in Research; and have numerous other opportunities to participate in didactic coursework, lecture series, and journal clubs in the type of research most germane to their future academic interests. Trainees work with the Principal Investigators, Program Director, and Program Faculty to identify research projects, with a primary research mentor and Mentoring Team. The Trainees select from 28 different Program Faculty, who have broad, diverse research interests related to Pediatric Endocrinology; are well funded; and have a strong track record for mentoring Trainees. Trainees learn to design and execute basic, translational, and/or clinical research projects; analyze data; and present the data at national meetings, as well as write manuscripts for prominent peer-reviewed journals. In addition, Trainees prepare and submit grants for extra-mural funding, further preparing them for independent academic careers. The special strengths of this program include: 1) The diverse skills and interests of the faculty. 2) A dedicated committee committed to the recruitment and mentorship of trainees in Pediatric Endocrinology that are under-represented in medicine. 3) The substantial laboratory resources of the faculty. 4) A robust Clinical and Translational Science Institute with Pediatric Clinical Research Center, which facilitates training in state-of-the-art clinical investigation, and the opportunity to obtain a certificate for Advanced Training in Clinical Research or Master’s Degree. 5) Comparable programs for basic science training in the UCSF biomedical sciences programs. 6) The outstanding environment for research in endocrinology and related areas at UCSF. 7) A network of research core facilities supporting the UCSF research community, and available to all Trainees. The continuing success of this program is shown by the fact that since 1966, 81% of the Fellowship graduates have held positions in academic medicine.