Clinical Research in Digestive Diseases (CRDD) Training Program

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ABSTRACT This application aims to renew the Clinical Research in Digestive Diseases (CRDD) Training Program (T32 DK062708). This training program, continuously funded since 2003, has an excellent track record of preparing physician-scientists for successful careers in clinical research. In the past 19 years (2003-2022), 81% of our 22 program graduates have attained research-intensive (45%) or research-related (36%) academic positions. During this time, our 22 graduates have earned 21 academic appointments, 15 K-equivalent (career development) awards, and 25 R, U, or equivalent senior research awards. The objective of the program is to develop future independent investigators in GI and hepatology clinical research by providing selected fellows with: (1) core skills in the design and execution of clinical research; and (2) a structured, mentored research experience under the guidance of our world-class Core Faculty. This application proposes to support a total of 3 postdoctoral research fellows with one enrolled each year for a 3-year training period, beginning after their first clinical year of GI fellowship training. The rationale for this training program is that (1) gastrointestinal and hepatic diseases are major causes of morbidity and mortality with evolving epidemiology and increasing burden; (2) digestive diseases are propelled by complex processes in need of multidisciplinary approaches; and (3) the field faces a threatened pipeline of diverse investigators committed to careers studying digestive diseases, particularly after the stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic. The design of our training program includes (1) recruitment of talented, diverse candidates committed to careers in research; (2) an immersive, individualized training plan for program trainees; and (3) deliberate preparation of program graduates for independently successful careers. All trainees participate in a mentored research experience, supported by a research advisory committee. Trainees are selected in a separate clinical research match when they apply for clinical training. All trainees acquire a master's degree in clinical research methods during their second year of fellowship, which is the first year of research training. The core curriculum includes research design and statistics, training in responsible research conduct and reproducible research practices, communication skills, grant writing, and career development. New research areas added since the last renewal include: (1) machine learning and deep learning methods; (2) data science and precision medicine; (3) adaptive and platform trial design; and (4) health equity. Based on feedback from our current fellows and many successful alumni, we are continuously improving this successful T32 training program.