Multidisciplinary Training Program in Cardiovascular Epidemiology

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Project Summary We offer a comprehensive 2-year multidisciplinary training program in cardiovascular epidemiology (CVE) for MDs and PhDs to pursue an academic and scientific research career addressing contemporary training needs of the specialty. The program goals are: 1. to graduate five postdoctoral scholars every two years in three CVE research tracks: clinical translational epidemiology, statistical genetics-genomics, and bioinformatics-computational biology, among whom at least 20% underrepresented group (URG) members and 50% women are included; and 2. to provide career and professional developmental support for scholars to transition to independence, faculty status or a first job in academe or industry. To achieve these goals, we offer the following specific aims: (1) Provide broad rigorous multidisciplinary competency-based learner-centered education in approaches to CVE research. We have developed a cross-track curriculum intended to assure that our scholars develop foundational and functional skills to conduct CVE research successfully, including skills in scientific communication (writing scientific manuscripts and grants, oral presentations), and research design and management. We train scholars in the responsible conduct of research with rigor and reproducibility, team science, leadership and self-management. Our training program offers requisite coursework (customized to scholars' past training levels and career goals), attendance at a broad range of seminars and workshops, interactions with outstanding faculty mentors with expertise in translational research, participation in programs aimed at multidisciplinary collaborations, and customized internships (including in industry). Team-based learning approaches include participation of scholars in journal clubs, “Work-in-Progress” sessions, discussion forums, and a scholar exchange program; (2) Feature carefully planned and personalized mentored research projects for each scholar — under the direction of an established NIH- or NSF-funded investigator with extensive expertise in one of the three training tracks — resulting in scholarship, presentation at national meetings, and peer-reviewed publications. Our program leverages extensive epidemiological cohort databases that scholars can easily access; (3) Impart authentic robust career mentorship using an individualized development plan to ensure transition to a career development award and/or initial job placement in academe or industry; (4) Afford strong developmental support to recruit and retain our scholars, especially URG, women and those with disabilities; and (5) Evaluate program processes and monitor outcomes to implement continuous improvement. Overall, we have designed our training program to prepare the future world leaders in CVE research.