Vision Science Training Program: Cornea to Cortex

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Abstract The Vision Science Training Program: “Cornea to Cortex” at UC Davis seeks 5 predoctoral training positions to broaden the skills and research perspective of the future biomedical and academic workforce by providing specialized training in the mechanistic bases of vision and related diseases. The training environment includes 32 faculty vision researchers (24 Preceptors and 8 Affiliates) across 8 departments located in 5 different schools/colleges, and it draws upon the rigorous admission standards and established course structures of the 5 graduate programs of our participating Preceptors. Each of the preceptors has an active program of vision science research, a demonstrated commitment to training, and strong extramural funding, with over $15M in annual direct costs (2021-2022). Resources for vision science training are augmented by a financial and infrastructural institutional commitment, the UC Davis Center for Visual Sciences, and an NEI Core grant. The program offers unique training opportunities that include faculty fireside chats, trainee chalk talks, an annual vision science symposium attended by basic and clinical science faculty and residents, and a two-term vision survey course that broadly covers basic and clinical visual sciences with contextual emphases on modern methods, experimental design, biostatistics, and ethics. All trainees will be engaged in vision science research that will be presented at national meetings and submitted to peer-reviewed journals. Under the advice and mentorship of their preceptor, trainees will utilize Individualized Development Plans (IDPs) and annually discuss the IDPs with members of the Advisory Committee to ensure efficient progress toward employment in their desired niche within the biomedical workforce.