CTSA Predoctoral T32 at the University of Michigan

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Project Summary/Abstract Over the last 15 years, the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR) has supported a diverse group of predoctoral PhD and professional degree trainees through programs that provide the foundation for productive translational research and science careers. These trainees come to us from one of the University of Michigan's (U-M) 11 Schools and Colleges (including Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Public Health, Nursing, Social Work, Kinesiology, and Engineering), as well as numerous programs outside of U-M, including more than 20 Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, or Tribal Colleges & Universities as identified by the United States Department of Education. Program graduates have authored more than 1500 scientific publications and lead research programs supported by $17.5M in extramural grant support, with greater than 70% remaining engaged in science. MICHR's new T32 program is particularly strong in its robust evaluation and adherence to foundational programmatic elements, which include competency- based education, formal assessment of research skills, mentor training and regular mentor meetings, regular use of individual development plans, and education in team science, scientific rigor, and the responsible conduct of research. Our program is supported by an outstanding group of scientific mentors with more than $99M in extramural funds, who welcome our T32 trainees into their highly successful multidisciplinary and collaborative research programs. The MICHR T32 in translational science will recruit diverse cohorts of trainees who are early in a health-related PhD program with support for two to three years, or professional students wishing to take a year out from their education to receive translational science training. This new program will build on the foundation set by our previous successful TL1 and leverage the unique strengths of U-M to respond to evolving trainee needs and emerging trends in translational research and science. Broadly, our T32 program's thematic areas of focus will fully integrate with MICHR's vision and thematic focus through the following Aims: 1) Provide T32 trainees with precision preparation to further their translational research skills; 2) strengthen the scientific social networks of T32 trainees to further their translational research pipeline engagement; 3) develop T32 trainees who are versatile communicators to advance their evolving careers. The expected outcomes of the MICHR predoctoral T32 in translational science will result in the implementation of new training opportunities that democratize education and facilitate trainee pathways to independence by providing flexible, personalized training options. Our new initiatives will strengthen our trainees' scientific social networks for greater career development and enhance communication skills while also providing more opportunities to access MICHR and U-M resources, allowing us to build and retain strong cohorts of next- generation translational research and translational science team leaders.