Remapping Clinical Neuroscience through Translation and Innovation Training (ReCoNnecT-IT)

临床科学家具有独特的地位，可以提出受患者观察启发的新的和有见地的科学问题，然而，他们往往缺乏专业知识，无法将他们的观察转化为精心设计的基础科学和转化实验。这可能有很多原因，但最常见的障碍是缺乏具体的培训、指导、资金和时间。如果这些障碍可以被消除，更多的临床科学家可以从事基于实验室的转化研究，从而有助于扭转许多神经系统疾病的现状，其中基础研究正在以越来越快的速度进行，但转化研究却滞后，大多数神经系统疾病患者无法预防，治疗或治愈。在这里，我们提出了一个研究培训计划的MD-PhD或MD谁已经完成了他们的临床培训，在神经科学相关的专业，并高度积极地追求职业生涯作为医生，科学家在创新，基于实验室的转化研究脑部疾病。ReConnecT-IT（通过翻译和创新培训重新映射临床神经科学）计划包括在1 - 2名教师导师的密切指导下进行的密集研究培训。学员设计和进行独立的研究项目，他们可以带着他们当他们过渡到独立的支持，并在此基础上，他们将他们的NIH K奖申请。研究项目旨在将神经系统疾病的遗传，分子和细胞病理生理学转化为预防，治疗或治愈的策略。将鼓励学员从事合作和跨学科的项目，因为这促进了他们的研究发展，而学科之间的联系有助于产生新颖的想法。学员将有机会获得20名核心教师，并可以与其他团体合作。学员将与博士研究人员一起工作，并参加期刊俱乐部，实验室会议和基础科学研讨会。该课程包括实验设计，统计方法和定量素养的正式培训，以及我们的统计培训主任对统计/定量方法的个性化培训。学员将通过两个具体的学期课程了解转化研究中的关键主题以及基础研究如何转化为临床试验（以患者为导向的研究）。他们将获得专业技能，并通过参加有关开发K奖申请，赠款和科学写作，追求学术生涯，求职技能，实验室和项目管理以及负责任的研究行为的研讨会了解职业机会。ReConNecT-IT的一个独特功能是，潜在的学员可以在临床培训结束前知道他们被接受，使他们能够在剩余的临床时间内安排研究，从而扩大他们在撰写K奖申请之前所拥有的研究经验总量。该计划的主要预期短期成果是申请NIH K奖或同等补助金。

Clinician-scientists are uniquely positioned to ask new and insightful scientific questions inspired by patient observations, yet, they often lack the expertise to be able to translate their observations into carefully designed basic scientific and translational experiments. There are likely many reasons for this, but the most cited barriers are lack of specific training, mentoring, funding, and time. If these barriers could be removed, more clinician-scientists could pursue careers in laboratory-based translational research, thereby helping to reverse the current state of affairs in many neurological disorders, in which basic research is proceeding at an increasingly rapid pace but translational research is lagging, and most patients with neurological disorders are left without preventions, treatments or cures. Here we propose a research training program for MD-PhDs or MDs who have finished their clinical training in a neuroscience-related specialty and are highly motivated to pursue careers as physician-scientists in innovative, laboratory-based translational research in brain diseases. The ReConNecT-IT (Remapping Clinical Neurosciences through Translation and Innovation Training) program consists of intense research training under the close mentoring of 1-2 faculty mentors. Trainees design and conduct independent research projects that they can take with them when they transition to independent support, and upon which they will base their NIH K-award application. Research projects are directed toward the translation of the genetic, molecular and cellular pathophysiology of neurological diseases into strategies for prevention, treatment or cure. Trainees will be encouraged to pursue projects that are collaborative and cross-disciplinary, as this fosters their research development, and linking disciplines helps generate ideas that are novel. Trainees will have access to 20 core faculty and can collaborate with other groups. Trainees will work alongside PhD researchers and participate in journal clubs, lab meetings and basic science seminars. The curriculum includes formal training in experimental design, statistical methodology and quantitative literacy, and well as individualized training on statistical/quantitative methodology by our Director of Statistical Training. Trainees will gain an understanding of critical topics in translational research and how basic research is translated into clinical trials (patient-oriented research) via two specific, semester-long courses. They will gain professional skill and understand career opportunities by participating in workshops on developing a K-award application, grant and scientific writing, pursuing an academic career, job search skills, laboratory and project management, and responsible conduct of research. A unique feature of ReConNecT-IT is that prospective trainees can know of their acceptance before their clinical training ends, allowing them to schedule research into their remaining clinical time, thereby expanding the total amount of research experience they will have before writing a K-award application. The main expected short-term outcome for this program is application for an NIH K award or equivalent grants.