Training in Clinical and Basic Neuroscience

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Abstract Centered in the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the University of Michigan Medical School, this longstanding training program in Translational Neuroscience includes additional stakeholders across the University. The program’s preceptors train basic scientists and clinician-scientists to conduct research in neurological diseases across the translational continuum, from basic mechanistic work through preclinical and clinical research. While mentored research under the direction of established investigators is the central pillar of this program, a new “mentoring the mentor” initiative will support promising younger preceptors with guidance from a paired senior investigator. In addition, a new mentor training program will be instituted, as designed by the NIH-funded National Research Mentoring Network, that will benefit junior and senior mentors alike. Our trainees’ mentored research experiences are complemented by appropriate formal education and a Core Program designed to provide rigorous quantitative and biostatistical training, expand the trainees’ knowledge beyond their narrower research focus, and ensure successful career progression. One of the strengths of this program is its integration of clinical and basic science training: laboratory scientists are exposed to clinical issues via their colleagues and mentors in the program, and clinical researchers gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of disease via their basic science exposures. Laboratory-based research training follows a project-oriented approach, with careful mentoring by the preceptors. Trainees in clinical science programs are able to complete a Master’s Degree, such as the School of Public Health’s Master’s Program in Clinical Research, but a formal degree is not required of all participants. Trainees include both biomedical PhD scientists who seek training in disease-oriented neuroscience, and clinicians – principally neurologists and neurosurgeons - who have completed clinical training and have chosen to pursue a laboratory-based or clinical research career. They are selected competitively by the program’s Executive Council. The recruitment process includes a strong diversity outreach initiative connected by a bridging program to NINDS-sponsored programs aimed at increasing diversity in Neuroscience graduate and postgraduate student education. This training program is embedded within the University’s rich research environment which includes a highly collegial and interdisciplinary neuroscience research community, excellent core resources for biomedical research, and strong resources for translational and clinical research. Our prior trainees have been very successful in moving on to and establishing productive careers in neuroscience, and we are forced to turn away excellent applicants every year. We propose to continue our trainee number at five postdoctoral fellows per year, with each trainee in the program for 1-2 years depending on their success in obtaining external funding.