Research Training in Pediatric Non-Malignant Hematology

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Project Summary/Abstract In this T32 renewal application, the Aflac Hematology Training Program (HTP) addresses the crucial need for programs to train physician scientists and clinical investigators in pediatric non-malignant hematology. Research in hematology – particularly in pediatrics – has elucidated many of the genetic, cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying disease processes, as well as fundamental cellular functions such as cell differentiation and gene regulation. Yet despite the many scientific and clinical advances in hematology over the past decades, the number of investigators funded by NIH for hematology related research continues to decline. This HTP offers rigorous training in basic, translational research to postdoctoral MD, MD/PhD and PhD fellows, and in renewal is expanded to include clinical research training. At Emory University, established research programs in sickle cell disease, hemostasis and thrombosis, hematopoiesis and stem cell biology, gene therapy, and red cell physiology and transfusion medicine are embedded in the largest clinical program in pediatric hematology in the country, providing huge patient volumes for clinical and translational research within Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology broadens the pool of 34 faculty mentors which includes 21 laboratory researchers and 13 clinical investigators supported by $37.0 M in extramural funding ($14.4 from Federal sources). Each trainee will have a laboratory and clinical Mentor to foster basic, translational, or clinical research relevant to pediatric hematology. Pairing of senior mentors with junior mentors from a pool of 14 young faculty members will expand the supply of future mentors. Integrated into the highly successful Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Fellowship Program of the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, this new HTP has supported 9 trainees over its first 3 ½ years, and in renewal will admit 2 fellows each year for 2 years of support, training 8-10 MD fellows and 2-4 PhD postdoctoral fellows over 5 years. Candidates will be MD, MD/PhD and PhD fellows within Aflac and associated laboratories, as well as external candidates chosen for their prior training, academic potential, and commitment to research in non-malignant hematology. In addition to rigorous laboratory research training, trainees will participate in courses on conduct of ethical research and enhancing reproducibility, departmental career development seminars, grant writing and academic skills training, research conferences, journal clubs, and fellowship program research retreats. Individual Training Plans will be developed for each trainee and progress will be monitored by multidisciplinary scholarship oversight committees. Trainees will present their work locally and at national meetings and develop applications for career development (K-type) awards. The HTP leverages the extensive research resources of Emory University, including formal course work and degree programs in clinical and translational research available through Emory’s CTSA program. Renewal of this T32 will contribute to training the next generation of academic leaders in pediatric non-malignant hematology.