University of Pittsburgh Urologic Training Program for Scientists

描述（由申请人提供）：该申请是匹兹堡大学T32 DK007774的竞争性更新。迫切需要了解泌尿系统疾病的基本生物学和临床方面的科学家。我们的目标是通过为博士后提供成功从事泌尿学研究所需的技能来满足这一需求。参与的导师都拥有校外资金和设备齐全的实验室，他们专注于泌尿系统疾病的许多关键机制，包括良性前列腺增生的分子生物学、前列腺生长调节、雄激素作用、炎症和神经元-上皮相互作用。许多导师都有合作的历史，为学员提供了学习多学科方法来解决问题的机会。泌尿外科和医学院提供一流的基础设施和设备，学员可以利用。学员将通过(1)实验室研究来发展他们的技能；(2)伦理和专业发展课程，如科学写作和管理；(3)参加研讨会、期刊俱乐部、进度报告和小组会议。为了探索其发现的临床相关性，受训者将参加泌尿外科大查房，并与作为临床共同导师的泌尿科医生和病理学家进行互动。指导合同将到位，以确保参与者完全理解期望。我们还将实施一个新的评估系统，这将有助于我们优化我们的计划。在过去的4年半时间里，我们的项目成功培养了7名博士后。这些受训者通过他们的生产力显示了他们的潜力，几乎所有人都留在了研究领域。随着2008年王博士成为新项目主任，招募工作大大增加。因此，我们在短短几个月内面试了8位优秀的候选人。其中4人加入了我们的项目。基于目前的活动，结合我们扩大的师资队伍，我们预计我们将能够持续地用优秀的学员填补所有可用的空缺。另外，我们还将通过向黑人出身的大学征求申请，特别努力招收少数民族的博士后。”执行人员培训委员会将负责根据推荐信、出版物和研讨会的质量选择最佳候选人，并监测受训人员的进展情况。我们每年申请资助4名博士后，为期5年，以便我们继续支持有才华的青年科学家的职业发展。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application is a competing renewal of T32 DK007774 from the University of Pittsburgh. A critical need for scientists who understand both the basic biology and clinical aspects of urologic diseases exists. Our goal is to fulfill this need by providing postdoctoral fellows with the skills required for a successful career in urologic research. The participating mentors, who all have extramural funding and well-equipped labs, focus on many of the key mechanisms underlying urologic diseases, including the molecular biology of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate growth regulation, androgen action, inflammation, and neuron-epithelial interactions. Many of the mentors have a history of collaboration, providing the opportunity for trainees to learn multi-disciplinary approaches to solve problems. The Urology Department and Medical School provide superb infrastructure and facilities that trainees can take advantage of. Trainees will develop their skills through (1) laboratory research; (2) courses in ethics and professional development, such as scientific writing and management, and; (3) participation in seminars, journal clubs, progress reports and group meetings. To explore the clinical relevance of their findings, trainees will attend urology grand rounds and interact with urologists and pathologists serving as clinical co-mentors. A mentoring contract will be in place to ensure that participants fully understand expectations. We will also implement a new system for evaluation that will help us to optimize our program. In the past 4 1/2 years, our program has successfully trained 7 postdoctoral fellows. These trainees have demonstrated their potential through their productivity, and almost all have remained in research. With the arrival of Dr. Wang as the new Program Director in 2008, recruiting efforts have greatly increased. As a result, we interviewed 8 excellent candidates in just several months. Of these, 4 have joined our program. Based on this current activity, in combination with our expanded faculty pool, we expect that we will be able to consistently fill all of the available slots with outstanding trainees. Of note, we will make a special effort to recruit minority postdoctoral trainees by soliciting applications from historically black colleges and universities. The Executive Training Committee will have the responsibility of both selecting the best candidates based on their recommendation letters, quality of publications and a seminar, and monitoring trainee progress. We request funding for 4 postdoctoral fellows each year for a period of 5 years, allowing us to continue to support the career development of talented young scientists. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Urologic disease affects a great many individuals. To tackle these complex diseases requires scientists that recognize the importance of both the bench and bedside. Thus, the goal of our training program at the University of Pittsburgh is to prepare postdoctoral fellows to work as independent scientists at the interface of basic and clinical urologic research.