Advanced Research Training in Transplantation Science

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Abstract This competitive renewal seeks funding for years 16-20 of a successful institutional training grant focusing on the science of organ and tissue transplantation. The Advanced Research Training in Transplantation Sciences (ARTTS) program at Emory University serves an area of medical science-- transplantation biology-- that is exceptionally rigorous, uniquely multidisciplinary, and in dire need of new students to take up the substantial momentum established in the past 30 years. The application seeks to fund 1 pre-doctoral and 2 post-doctoral trainees each year, and individual appointments will last for 2 years. It seeks to produce trainees that go on to establish independent research programs in the area of transplantation biology. Since its inception in 2006, the program has successfully recruited and trained 9 pre-doctoral trainees and 14 post-doctoral trainees. Of the 6 pre-doctoral ARTTS trainees who have completed training, 100% had a first author publication as a result of their graduate research, and on average they published an impressive 4.4 first author and 6.0 total peer- reviewed manuscripts. Of the 12 past post-doctoral ARTTS trainees who have completed training, 100% had a first author publication as a result of their post-doctoral research, and on average they published 2.2 first author and 2.6 total peer-reviewed manuscripts. Furthermore, 86% of past pre-doctoral and 84% of past post- doctoral ARTTS Program trainees remain in research-intensive careers or are still in training (an additional 14% and 8% respectively are in research-related careers). Thus, the program has been highly successful in recruiting and training the next generation of transplantation scientists. The current proposal represents the continued commitment of a team of highly productive, diverse, and actively collaborating junior and senior investigator/mentors, with an associated group of dedicated instructors, on a strong institutional foundation of fundamental academic excellence, to execute a unique and carefully designed training program that will continue to attract and retain highly motivated trainees to the transplantation field, and give them the unique tool set needed to influence the prevailing problems in the field. The ARTTS Program thus now offers an incredibly rich environment spanning powerful murine models in transplantation and viral immunology, an intensive translational program at the Yerkes National Primate Center, and markedly augmented opportunities in clinical trials and human immunology. The program continues to evolve to better attract highly qualified candidates from across the country representing a diversity of races and ethnicities, and importantly now offers a research focus on health disparities among minority groups in transplantation, and a particular focus to enhancing career development in women trainees. Thus, the current offering is on the cutting edge of training in transplantation sciences, and undoubtedly will contribute to improving the future of transplantation research and practice for diverse individuals, and optimizing both length and quality of life for transplant recipients.