Scientist Training in Rheumatology Research

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PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT This application is a competitive renewal of the University of Michigan's Program for Scientist Training in Rheumatology Research (T32AR007080). Our Program, funded by NIAMS since 1975, is designed to prepare four outstanding postdoctoral scientists per year, both MD and PhD, for investigative careers in research related to the rheumatic diseases. Our Program is motivated by several key factors including (i) the tremendous clinical need caused by the unrelenting burden of rheumatic diseases; (ii) an appreciation that rheumatic diseases are propelled by complex processes in need of multidisciplinary approaches; and (iii) a threatened pipeline of diverse investigators committed to careers that will be devoted to rheumatology research. Fortunately, recent advances in biomedical and clinical sciences have created unprecedented research opportunities to understand disease etiologies more deeply—and ultimately improve outcomes through an approach personalized to the care of each individual living with a rheumatic disease. Our 22 Program faculty mentors are dedicated researcher-mentors who together bring broad interdisciplinary expertise focused on rheumatic diseases. These investigators have established extensive collaborations with research units nationally and internationally to effectively study rheumatic disease mechanisms and improve management. Leveraging these historical strengths, our Program's themes have been updated to align with NIAMS strategic mission “to transcend disease- and tissue-specific boundaries via cross-cutting scientific themes.” For the upcoming cycle of our Program, major scientific themes will include (i) Biologic Underpinnings of Clinical Heterogeneity; (ii) Immunological Mechanisms of Disease; (iii) Injury, Repair, and Fibrosis; and (iv) Patient Outcomes/Experience and Innovative Trials. Trainees are also provided strong roots in the ethical conduction of research, and in embracing a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Some additional highlights of the Training Program include: (i) the availability of an award-winning 10-week research training course offered to physician trainees with a strong interest in basic research; (ii) multiple paths for trainees to earn a master's degree concurrent with their Program training, and (iii) outstanding state-of-the-art biomedical cores that provide training, consultations, and scientific services commensurate with U-M's standing as the top public research institution in the United States. It has been a longstanding mission of our Program to train individuals from diverse backgrounds for careers in research. Of the 26 trainees since 2009, 17 (65%) are women and eight (31%) come from underrepresented backgrounds (1 Black, 5 Hispanic or Latinx, and 2 from disadvantaged backgrounds); half of the current trainees identify as underrepresented minorities. Of the 20 trainees (9 MD and 11 PhD) who have completed their participation in our Program since 2011, all 20 remain involved in research. Fourteen of the 20 (70%) are working in research-intensive careers, and ten have successfully competed for grant funding (~70 grants have been awarded to the group as PI).