UCLA Scholars in Oncologic Molecular lmaging (SOMI)

加州大学洛杉矶分校肿瘤分子成像学者（SOMI）是一个综合性的跨学科博士后培训项目，汇集了来自大卫·格芬医学院、文理学院和亨利·塞缪尔利工程与应用科学学院的7个部门和6个部门的教师导师。分子成像是一种对生物体中特定分子和生化过程进行无创监测的技术，它在癌症的检测和治疗方面的应用不断扩大。SOMI教师导师提供多样化的培训环境，涵盖数学、物理、工程、化学、生物化学、癌症生物学、免疫学和医学科学。SOMI项目的核心是学员（博士或医学博士）有机会在互补学科的教师共同指导下进行创新的分子成像研究。SOMI受训者还参加专业课程、研讨会、临床指导计划，并参加有关伦理和负责任研究的课程。这个为期三年的项目在准备一笔模拟拨款时达到高潮，受训人员将过渡到癌症分子成像领域的独立职业。在最初供资期间，19名受训人员参加了SOMI方案，随后有9名SOMI研究员被任命为教员。在续期期间，我们建议通过增加一个新的项目领域（系统生物学），战略性地增加我们的教师导师，以及不断改进项目的其他培训和职业发展组成部分，继续加强SOMI项目。SOMI计划的目标是继续为有才华的年轻研究人员提供成为癌症分子成像领域领导者所需的科学和专业培训。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The UCLA Scholars in Oncologic Molecular Imaging (SOMI) is an integrated, cross-disciplinary postdoctoral training program bringing together faculty mentors from 7 departments and 6 divisions in the David Geffen School of Medicine, the College of Letters and Sciences, and the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science. Molecular imaging, the non-invasive monitoring of specific molecules and biochemical process in living organisms, continues to expand its applications in the detection and management of cancer. SOMI faculty mentors provide a diverse training environment spanning mathematics, physics, engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, cancer biology, immunology, and medical sciences. The centerpiece of the SOMI program is the opportunity for trainees (Ph.D. or M.D.) to conduct innovative molecular imaging research co-mentored by faculty in complementary disciplines. SOMI trainees also engage in specialized coursework, seminars, a clinical tutorial program, and participate in a course on ethics and responsible research. The three-year program culminates in preparation of a mock grant, as trainees transition to independent careers in cancer molecular imaging. During the initial funding period, 19 trainees entered the SOMI program, and nine SOMI fellows have subsequently been appointed to faculty positions. In the renewal period, we propose to continue and strengthen the SOMI program through addition of a new Program Area (Systems Biology), strategic additions to our faculty mentors, and continuous improvement of the other training and career development components of the program. The goal of the SOMI program is to continue to provide talented young investigators with the scientific and professional training needed to become leaders in the field of molecular imaging of cancer.