Training Grant in Comparative Molecular Medicine

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As stated in PAR-17-341, the goal of this NIGMS initiative is to .”encourage changes in biomedical graduate training to keep pace with the rapid evolution of the research enterprise that is increasingly complex, interdisciplinary, and collaborative…”. The objective of this Comparative Molecular Medicine Training Program (CMMTP) is to provide a diverse pool of graduate students with rigorous training in biomedical research with special emphasis in team science. Support is requested for three/six students, to be supported by the T32 for a two-year period. The program emphasizes team interdisciplinary research training and provides extensive hands-on experience in challenging research projects focused on comparative molecular medicine, and extensive professional development designed to prepare trainees for a successful career in the biomedical sciences. To achieve our objectives, we have incorporated a set of novel components including: 1) Two Team Science courses, the first led by an Associate Professor with a PhD degree in Communications, focused on developing the communication skills required to successfully participate in team-based collaborative interdisciplinary research, and the second led by the Senior Associate Director for Operations and Academic Programs, Shelton Leadership Center, focused on team leadership skills related to biomedical sciences. 2) A team science mentoring program, the Young Scholar Program (YSP), which provides an opportunity for CMMTP trainees to apply and further refine competencies in project management, mentoring, and effective group communication, including teaching in an undergraduate course in Team Sciences in the Biomedical Sciences. 3) The requirement for the development of a collaborative aim (a co- aim) in the trainee’s thesis proposal. 4) A graduate level minor in “Team Leadership and Communication in the Biomedical Sciences". A minor that will help prepare the future leaders in interdisciplinary biomedical research. 5) Close incorporation of science of education expertise within the proposal not only to assess the program, but more importantly, to develop new educational approaches to train PhD students to carry out complex interdisciplinary research in the biomedical sciences. This includes an education/communication PhD student as part of the institutional commitment. This PhD student will use the CMMTP program as the basis for their research on improving education methods in team science. They will ensure that each of our training activities is assessed using evidence-based approaches and that this information is used to further improve methods for team interdisciplinary research training. Other components include: 1) Basing the training grant in the Comparative Medicine Institute (CMI). The CMI’s well established cross-departmental organizational infrastructure facilitates the management and implementation of this training grant, and 2) Extensive professional development activities that include career and academic advising, seminar series, preparation to present orally and in poster format, workshops on scientific communication, among others.