Transdisciplinary Training In Cardiovascular Research

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ABSTRACT We propose the 1st competitive renewal of our transdisciplinary cardiovascular sciences training program (CVT32) at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS). We will continue to encompass the full spectrum of cardiovascular (CV) research from basic to population health. This breadth is part of the UMMS culture of conducting science that makes a difference. The CVT32 is a collaboration between the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine in the Department of Medicine and the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences (PQHS) and involves 48 participating faculty from multiple departments. Our two MPIs have different research expertise, with one (Freedman) more in the bench through phase 1 clinical trials arena and the other (Kiefe) in the phase 2/3 clinical trials (efficacy) through effectiveness, implementation, and population-sciences arena. Trainees will have mentoring teams with a lead mentor in their CV area of interest and a co-mentor plus an additional mentor-in-training representing very different areas of research. The synergism of our CVT32 faculty spanning the entire spectrum is a unique strength of our CVT32 enabling us to train scientists in a transdisciplinary way, with bidirectional hypothesis generation. Team mentoring and hands-on research experience through the entire training period are key components of our CVT32, together with structured coursework and abundant enrichment activities tailored to the individual trainee. We have a doctoral program and a Masters of Science of Clinical investigation housed in PQHS, where all CVT32 trainees will each have their own cubicle, in close physical proximity to researchers across the spectrum. Building on the success of our 1st funding period, we propose to enlarge the program by attaining a steady-state of 4 postdoctoral trainees and 4 predoctoral trainees at a time, with terms of 2-3 years; and newly adding a 12-week summer research training experiences for 8 medical students/year enrolled in a 4-year clinical and translational research pathway. Thus, our aims are to 1) Expand our successful CVT32 across basic, clinical, and population health sciences geared towards translating research into effective clinical practice and policy, and generating new questions spanning the entire spectrum of CV research. 2) Recruit pre-and post- doctoral trainees forming a diverse group regarding sociodemographics, clinical background, and disciplinary perspectives. 3) Provide trainees with the individual mentoring, academic training, and technical skills that will ensure their success as independent investigators as well as contributors to team science. 4) Provide “hands on” research experiences within transdisciplinary teams that build on the strengths of the current environment of linkages between UMMS Departments, Centers, and Institutes.