Chemistry of Life Processes Predoctoral Training Program

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The complex problems encountered across length and time scales in treating disease require a broad repertoire of skills along with the capacity to harness teams possessing a range of diverse expertise to advance the discovery of new therapeutics and diagnostics. To address the pressing public health needs of the 21st century, the next generation of researchers must be able to think and communicate in a common language that spans chemistry and biology. The mission of the proposed Chemistry of Life Processes (CLP) Predoctoral Training Program at Northwestern University is to recruit, train and advance a diverse cohort of students who are prepared to lead the next wave of innovation and discovery at the interface of chemistry and biology. The CLP Training Program will address multiple dimensions of the training ecosystem and is aligned with NIGMS goals for predoctoral training: student-centered skills acquisition, trainee wellness and retention, mentor development, diversity, equity and inclusion, and assessment and improvement. The CLP Program will provide students with the opportunity to integrate graduate studies in chemistry and the life sciences to a degree beyond that of any training program at Northwestern University. The program is built upon the highly collaborative research programs of 52 mentors with extensive expertise in the areas of drug development, diagnostics, biomimetic molecules, and potential molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. The depth and breadth of its coursework requirements, novel immersive cross-disciplinary lab experience, and unique mentoring structure, coupled with a strong shared training environment, set this program apart from other Northwestern biomedical training programs. The CLP Training Program also provides an intense focus on career development through activities and programs that will expose trainees to alternative career pathways, facilitate networking with potential mentors, and foster key competencies in communications, resume development, and leadership. The evidence-based training methods and approaches developed by the CLP Program will be shared with graduate programs at Northwestern and across the country with the goal of maximizing the impact of program innovations and contributing to the development of 21st century graduate STEM education. This application requests support for 8 slots/year (Year 1; 7 slots), for a total of 39 slots over 5 years to create a vibrant cohort of peers with a common identity. Trainees are appointed to the grant starting in the fall of their second year and are supported throughout their second and third years of graduate education. Ten additional students will be supported by one-year university fellowships, enabling the participation of well-qualified and diverse international students. The program deploys a team-based approach to program leadership that leverages the unique expertise of its members and the administrative capabilities of the Chemistry of Life Processes Institute to enhance program development, assessment and evaluation, and training.