Training in Signature Transdisciplinary Cardiovascular Sciences

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT This is the first renewal for our T32 postdoctoral program (3-year duration, requesting to maintain our 6 positions/year) for MDs, DOs, PharmDs, and PhDs at the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Cardiovascular Center. Building on our successes with 36% of appointees from underrepresented groups and 100% of graduates (n=5) with further NIH funding (2 K99s, K01, F32, etc.), innovative new components include diversification of leadership, a refined, more diverse group of faculty mentors, a new academic course, and novel collaborations with campus centers to enhance translational science. With strong institutional support and excellence in cardiovascular research, we leverage multi-PI leadership, the recent renewal of a Clinical and Translational Science Award, a new American Heart Association Strategically Focused Research Network award, and philanthropic support to fund trainee recruitment and enrich training. The Directors are established physicians and scientists with extensive administrative experience who, along with 30 basic scientists and translational investigators, serve as mentors. Our training program is scaffolded by a highly integrated collaborative well-resourced research environment with a 360-degree evaluation system surrounding our Signature Programs, specific areas of scientific excellence in 1) atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology, 2) cardiac biology and heart failure, 3) precision cardiovascular medicine, and 4) hypertension. Our program emphasizes critical components designed to launch/sustain independent research careers: 1) 3 years of support to enable grant (re)submissions, 2) individualized development plans (IDP), 3) protected research time, 4) multidisciplinary mentoring teams, 5) training in core competencies , and 6) industry/biotechnology or scientific liaison career options for trainees not pursuing a traditional career in academia. A rigorous nationwide selection process aids in our diverse trainee selection and team mentoring is optimized using innovative tools (e.g., DiSC® and career path assessments). The IDP includes foundational elements of progressive responsibility, coordination across multiple levels of translation, interactions with cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular scientists, near-peer learning opportunities, specific coursework, seminars, and conferences. Our long-term benchmark/goal is for more than 50% of our postdoctoral trainees to transition into competitive faculty positions within 3 to 5 years of exiting our program. Our intermediate benchmarks include publications, presentations, and grant submissio ns. Along with the Directors, an Executive Committee and External Advisory Committee that have extensive experience with career development, leadership, and directing training grants all provide program oversight and monitor trainee progress every 6 and 12 months. Overall, the ultimate goal of our training program is to train the next generation of cardiovascular scientists and physicians, including underrepresented groups in science and medicine, by incorporating broad-based, personalized, supportive, and rigorous training opportunities.