Training in the Pharmacological Sciences

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The mission of UVA’s predoctoral Pharmacological Sciences Training Program (PSTP) is to foster scientific inquiry using pharmacologic strategies to address important biomedical questions. With this application, we request funds to support 7 predoctoral trainees, who will be appointed to the training grant during their second and third years of study. The PSTP curriculum includes rigorous didactic instruction and three research rotations during the first year with selection of a thesis advisor in February of that year. During the second year, students develop an independent research project and take a written and oral advancement to candidacy examination. The following three years consist largely of a research project focusing on collaboration and publication culminating in a written dissertation and seminar. Integral to the PSTP are activities that enable trainees to: a) understand responsible conduct of research (RCR) and laboratory safety, b) develop skills in rigor & reproducibility, c) receive and give feedback during evaluation, d) develop career interests, including use of Individual Development Plans, e) improve written and oral communication skills, and f) learn critical analysis via journal clubs and seminars. Research in the PSTP is inter-disciplinary and includes intermediary metabolism, neuroscience, infectious disease, immunology, membrane biophysics, drug discovery and design, and proteomics. The PSTP is based in the Department of Pharmacology and nearly all trainees are Pharmacology PhD students with an occasional Neuroscience program PhD student. The PSTP preceptors are 25 faculty drawn from 8 different academic departments across UVA’s research enterprise. These faculty are evaluated by the PSTP Steering Committee for research excellence, mentoring skills, and commitment to diversity. Faculty are required to compete mentor training before accepting a PSTP trainee. Oversight of the PSTP program is achieved by the Steering Committee aided by an expert Internal Advisory Committee. The PSTP builds on 45+ years of educational excellence in the Pharmacological Sciences that has no equivalent elsewhere at UVA. Historically, the PSTP mentors have included 2 Nobel laureates. Approximately 8 students are enrolled annually from a pool of ~200 applicants after a rigorous, holistic application process culminating with in-person interviews. Matriculants from under-represented minority (URM) groups now represent ~20% of the total, with an overall F:M ratio of ~2:1. The URM candidates, those from disadvantaged backgrounds and students with disabilities are actively sought in outreach programs such as a highly successful undergraduate Summer Research Training Program (SRIP). UVA PSTP graduates are highly sought-after in academia, industry, and public service due to their excellence as research scientists.