Training Program in Imaging Sciences in Translational Cardiovascular Research

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Advances in imaging technology lead to discoveries in science and medicine. Conversely, pressing questions in science and medicine drive innovation in imaging technology development, underscoring the fundamental symbiosis between imaging and biomedical research. The necessity to connect imaging and biomedical science is particularly salient in cardiovascular research, where imaging the heart and vascular system, from whole organ to molecular levels, figures prominently in the translation of discoveries to bedside diagnosis and treatment. As such, imaging scientists must understand what questions are important in biomedical research, while biomedical scientists must be fluent in the imaging technologies that can facilitate discovery. Our inaugural T32 program (2016)– the first in Cardiology at University of Pittsburgh – was motivated by the recognition that there is a paucity of scientists who can adeptly commute between the imaging science and biomedical research spheres, ultimately compromising the translational relevance of research efforts, and contributing to the “Valley of Death” separating basic discovery and clinical application. To bridge this chasm, our new T32 Program used an innovative educational paradigm to train clinical and basic researchers in a broad spectrum of cutting-edge, multimodality imaging platforms as they pursue hypothesis-driven research, with an emphasis on translational cardiovascular research. While T32s at other institutions focus on traditional cardiovascular imaging tools (e.g., MRI, Echo), our T32 is unique in integrating biological imaging within the biological and physical sciences. Our program was designed such that post-doctoral trainees (MD or PhD) acquire “core competencies” in imaging methods spanning molecular to whole organism (“imaging tool kit”), and translational research methods spanning basic to population levels (“translational tool kit’) – accomplished through a co-mentorship structure, with each trainee having one mentor from imaging sciences and another from the biomedical science arena. Our approach is structured around Individualized Development Plans that have quantifiable milestones, e.g., presentations, publications, grants, didactic courses, or completion of Master’s degrees. Now 4.2 years into our first funding cycle, we seek competitive renewal of our program based on its compelling premise and unmet training need; its occupancy of an important niche in the NHLBI portfolio (only 2% of NHLBI T32s are imaging-focused); the 37 excellent, scientifically diverse, well-funded training faculty; and the successful outcomes of our nascent program thus far. In our 2019 Cardiology Fellowship match for 8 positions (>700 applicants), 4 were filled by MDs committed to our T32 program, highlighting our mandate to train future MD scientists. Dr. Villanueva, a cardiologist, imaging specialist, and researcher with extensive mentoring experience, has ably led our young program alongside 3 seasoned co-Directors and Advisory Boards. Our T32 is enhanced by institutional endowments, research Cores of the Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, a rich infrastructure from the Clinical Sciences Translational Institute, and interactions with other institutional translational T32s.