Pediatric Neurointensive Care and Resuscitation Research

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Neurocritical care (NCC) is the final frontier in pediatric critical care medicine (PCCM). The most common cause of death in infants and children admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is neurological system failure and the prevalence of neuromorbidities causing cognitive impairment and reducing quality of life remains unacceptably high. This T32 research training program “Pediatric Neurointensive Care and Resuscitation Research,” established in 2000, represents a unique national program. It trains MDs, PhDs, and MD/PhDs in basic, translational, or clinical research, from seven departments that treat infants and children who require NCC across the continuum of care, from the field to the emergency department, the PICU, and to rehabilitation and recovery. Our Specific Aim is to mentor clinicians, specifically fellows in PCCM, Child Neurology, Neurosurgery, PM&R, Emergency Medicine, Newborn Medicine and Radiology along with postdoctoral PhD scientists, in research training focused predominantly around two insults, traumatic brain injury and cardiac arrest. Those two conditions are the leading contributors to pediatric NCC in the developed world. We feature the unique and formidable resources of the Safar Center for Resuscitation Research and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to create a highly collaborative, multi-disciplinary and multi-departmental culture for research training. Our program has a carefully orchestrated research training infrastructure that has been further refined to include three focus tracks (basic, translational, and clinical science), each with shared and unique components. It features a choice of cutting-edge projects from 24 nationally recognized mentors, and offers opportunities to obtain advanced degrees or take targeted courses to enhance career development. In this outstanding environment trainees work to attain five goals 1) an education grounded in the sound principles of contemporary neuroscience, 2) that they become academic clinician-scientists or scientists, 3) that they go on to obtain independent funding, 4) that they ultimately become leaders in the field, and 5) that they are fully equipped to rigorously and ethically study and successfully develop novel neuroprotective, resuscitative, and regenerative therapies, and improve neuro-outcomes across all of pediatric NCC. Trainees are supported for two or three years. Those targeted for faculty positions in Pittsburgh write K award applications. However, given the National need for trained investigators in pediatric NCC research, our T32 is not designed simply to create local talent. Our trainees have not only developed into independently funded investigators in Pittsburgh, but have become National leaders in the field, independently funded investigators at other centers, site PIs for NIH-funded trials, directors of NCC programs, and promoted and/or Endowed faculty. Our success is also highlighted by our nine junior faculty “Future Mentors,” who are funded by R21 or K awards and serve as outstanding exemplars of success in our field, to help guide our new trainees.