Global Cardiometabolic Disease Training

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Abstract We propose to renew our global cardiometabolic disease (GCMD) predoctoral training program. This cross- disciplinary nutrition-focused program provides specialized training to develop a cadre of researchers who can bridge basic, translational, and population science to reduce the growing burden and disparities in GCMD. There is critical need to reduce this burden in low- and middle-income countries that are disproportionately affected and where more specialized skills and global leadership are most needed. The training program is administered in the Department of Nutrition in the Gillings School of Global Public Health and in the UNC School of Medicine, a logical and well-placed home for a GCMD training grant. Nutrition science integrates “omics” (e.g., genomics, proteomics, metabolomics), behavioral, and population approaches and data to understand complex pathobiological processes and underlying causes of population health differences in GCMD, thus providing a strong platform for training translational global researchers in this field. Our program is co-directed by two senior faculty with strong mentoring records and extensive global experience and leadership in GCMD research. The program is guided by an internal training committee and an external advisory board. Our 22 UNC training faculty are scientists with substantial research support, excellent publication records across a wide range of disciplines, and strong mentoring experience. We request support for 5 predoctoral trainees per year. Trainees complete the PhD in nutrition and GCMD program-specific requirements, including specialized courses in global health and cardiovascular disease and options for in-depth training in (1) specialized methods important for GCMD, (2) translational medicine, or (3) implementation science. All trainees participate in a seminar led by the program directors, mentored research practicums, training in the responsible conduct of research, and mentoring for professional development, including submitting an NIH-style predoctoral and/or F award or similar application for extramural funding, and unique global internships with 15 global mentors who are exceptional CMD researchers working at 13 top universities or research centers in 11 countries. Our training program stands out because of its: (1) focus on nutrition, a major etiologic factor in the global disease burden; (2) life course approach to addressing GCMD; (3) interdisciplinary focus on causes ranging from cellular and molecular to whole organism and accounting for underlying social, economic, political, and environmental determinants; (4) emphasis on integration and translation of basic knowledge and discoveries from nutrition biochemistry, physiology, genetics, and epidemiology, to behavioral and environmental approaches and policies; and (5) outstanding faculty mentors who serve as role models for excellence in GCMD research and leaders working with countries to implement and evaluate large-scale regulatory efforts to prevent cardiometabolic disease. The program is training future leaders in GCMD research.