Training in Multi-Modality Molecular and Transitional Cardiovascular Imaging

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This is the revision of a second competitive renewal of a currently funded T32 grant that received a very favorable initial review. This grant provides post-doctoral training in multi-disciplinary multi-modality molecular and translational cardiovascular imaging for highly qualified fellows holding either a MD or/and PhD, in preparation for academic careers as independent investigators in the highly clinically relevant field of cardiovascular imaging and image guided intervention. As imaging technology and molecular medicine advances, increasingly complex questions often arise requiring the convergence of perspectives from multiple disciplines. The future of cardiovascular imaging will most likely be practiced by integrated multidisciplinary teams with diverse areas of expertise. The goal of this research training program is to provide the necessary skills needed to work in this new multi-disciplinary investigative environment. Applicants will be recruited from both clinical and basic science departments, with attention paid to recruitment of female, minority, disabled, and disadvantaged candidates. We will continue to select and enroll applicants to maintain support for 6 post- doctoral fellows each year, with an equal balance of physicians and scientists. We have added a new pathway that focuses on image-guided therapy, and have expanded the image analysis pathway to include specific training in machine and deep learning provided by the recently established Translational Image Analysis and Machine Learning (TIAML) Center and partnering with data science center at the university. Post-doctoral fellowship training will be 2-3 years in duration. There will be four primary research focuses in the post-doctoral training, 1) cardiovascular molecular imaging, 2) cardiovascular imaging technologies and analyses, 3) image guided therapy, and 4) translational cardiovascular imaging. The primary faculty for this program are from the Department of Biomedical Engineering of the Yale School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and from multiple departments within the Yale School of Medicine, including: Internal Medicine (Section of Cardiovascular Medicine), Radiology & Biomedical Imaging, and Surgery. The faculty sponsors have been selected based on extramural support, research productivity, and commitment to multi-disciplinary training. Each trainee will be assigned a primary preceptor in the basic sciences and engineering or clinical research and co-mentor with complementary expertise. Trainee progress will be monitored by individual mentors, the trainee’s advisory committee, and the Program Directors. Drs. Sinusas and Duncan will co-manage the program to assure a balanced and integrated experience in the relevant clinical and engineering sciences. We have also established a more formal relationship between our T32 training program and the Vascular Biology T32 training program within the section of Cardiovascular Medicine and will establish an annual research retreat with fellow presentations of research in progress. This retreat should help to better integrate basic, translational and clinical research within the Section of Cardiology and other participating departments.