Molecular Pharmacology Training Program

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Pharmacology is at a crossroads. Although technological advances in chemistry and biology have transformed drug discovery, our ability to develop new therapeutics has lagged behind our clinical needs. This gap reflects a disconnect between basic science discovery and translational research, and addressing this challenge will require scientists who can bridge these two areas. Toward this goal, the Stanford Molecular Pharmacology Training Program (MPTP) aims to empower predoctoral students across the biosciences with specialized training in drug discovery and development. The MPTP is founded on the rich history of pharmacology research and education at Stanford, and it now transcends conventional academic boundaries. Our training program draws upon an outstanding group of 26 highly collaborative Stanford faculty from multiple departments, and it builds upon the strength of SPARK, a translational research initiative that was created at Stanford in 2006. In addition to their independent research with MPTP faculty, our trainees receive formal course work in drug discovery, and they attend weekly presentations by SPARK-affiliated experts in pharma/biotech, patent law, venture capital, clinical medicine, and other areas related to therapeutic development. MPTP students also participate in summer biotech internships and clinical shadowing opportunities, supplementing their academic training with industrial and clinical experiences. These training activities are integrated with courses on the responsible conduct of research, rigor, and reproducibility, weekly student/faculty research forums, annual retreats, grant writing and science communication workshops, and outreach opportunities. Our predoctoral students are also encouraged to propose translational projects, which are reviewed and funded by SPARK on a competitive basis. These team-based projects provide hands- on, real-world experience in therapeutic development and direct interactions with industry veterans and experts. Our program carefully tracks student research progress, faculty mentorship, and program effectiveness to enable the MPTP to continually evolve to meet its educational mission. To train scientific leaders and innovators who will impact communities throughout the United States, we have also established recruitment and retention strategies to foster student diversity, leveraging Stanford resources and mobilizing the MPTP community. Through its innovative curriculum and partnerships with SPARK and industry, the MPTP will impart its students with rigorous training in basic science and an understanding of drug discovery and development. Graduates of our training program will be uniquely able to translate fundamental discoveries into clinical advances, and they will be well- positioned to become scientific leaders in academia, industry, government, and other sectors.