Training in Schizophrenia and Psychotic Disorders: From Animal Models to Patients

描述(申请人提供)：这是一份T32-MH018870精神分裂症研究奖学金的续期申请，该奖学金自1988年以来一直得到资助。这项提议的主要目标是培养博士后(医学博士、医学博士/博士和博士)研究员，作为精神分裂症的独立研究人员。一个密集的三年计划被概述，在这个计划中，研究员将学习如何识别关键的研究问题，制定假设，并设计和执行有效检验这些假设的实验。在培训过程中，研究员将获得与研究方法有关的一系列技能，包括与基础、翻译和临床研究方案相关的实验设计和统计分析方面的专门知识。毕业研究员将能够以书面和口头形式清楚地介绍整个项目，出版物和演示文稿都能证明这一点。培训计划的成功与否，最好的判断标准是我们以前的学员取得的显著成就。在过去的10年里，27名研究员被选入培训计划，其中55%是医学博士，30%是医学博士，15%是博士。我们59%的实习生都是女性。未来的研究员专门适用于这个项目，培训名额的竞争仍然激烈。26%的研究员是从哥伦比亚精神病学住院医生项目中招募的。该奖学金的毕业率在过去10年中为100%(21/21)。目前有六名研究员：一名第四年(因复杂的怀孕和产假而获得特别豁免)、一名第三年、两名第二年和两名第一年受训的研究员；四名新研究员已获准在2009年底之前开始工作。在过去10年毕业的21名研究员中，11人(52%)获得了K奖，目前正在审查现有研究员提交的两份K奖申请。两名毕业生(10%)已经获得了R01，另外两名毕业生获得了R21(ROI和R21的总比例为19%)，其他几个人的申请正在等待中。总共有18名毕业生(86%)获得了大量的独立资助，包括ROI、K奖、R03奖、R21奖、NARSAD奖以及海军研究办公室和其他资助机构的赠款。在该项目毕业的21名研究员中，有16人(76%)从事全职学术研究工作。如果培训项目停滞不前，它就不能保持成功的记录；它必须适应环境的变化和精神病学翻译研究方面不断增长的机会。通过加强教学计划和在这一领域战略性地增加教师导师，翻译研究方面的培训得到了显着加强。这一培训计划的最大优势一直是哥伦比亚大学的教职员工和精神病学系内外的研究环境。这种情况今天仍然存在，培训计划的核心因当前申请的变化而得到加强。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is an application for renewal of grant T32-MH018870, Schizophrenia Research Fellowship, which has been funded continuously since 1988. The primary goal of this proposal is to train postdoctoral (MD, MD/PhD and PhD) fellows for careers as independent researchers in Schizophrenia. An intensive three-year program is outlined in which fellows will learn how to identify key research questions, formulate hypotheses, and design and execute experiments that effectively test those hypotheses. In the course of training, fellows will acquire a range of skills relevant to research methodology, including expertise in experimental design and statistical analysis relevant to basic, translational and clinical research programs. Graduating fellows will be able to present clearly an entire project in both written and oral form as evidenced by publications and presentations. The success of the training program is best judged by the remarkable accomplishments of our former trainees. In the past 10 years, 27 fellows have been selected to enter the training program, 55% MDs, 30% MD/PhDs and 15% PhDs. 59% of our trainees have been women. Prospective fellows apply specifically to this program, and the competition for training slots remains intense. 26% of fellows have been recruited from the Columbia Psychiatry Residency program. The graduation rate of the fellowship is 100% over the last 10 years (21/21). Currently, there are six fellows: one fourth-year (special waiver related to a complicated pregnancy and maternity leave), one third-year, two second-year and 2 in the first year of training; four new fellows have been accepted to begin before the end of 2009. Of the 21 fellows who have graduated the program in the past 10 years, 11 (52%) have received K awards and two K award submissions are presently under review from current fellows. Two graduates (10%) have already received R01s with another two receiving R21s (total of 19% for both ROIs and R21s), and several others have applications pending. In total, 18 (86%) graduates have received substantial independent funding including ROIs, K awards, R03 awards, R21 awards, NARSAD awards, and grants from the Office of Naval Research and other funding agencies. Of the 21 fellows who graduated the program, 16 (76%) are in full-time academic research positions. No training program can maintain a successful track record if it remains stagnant; it must adapt to changes in circumstances and the growing opportunities in terms of translational research in Psychiatry. The training in translational research has been markedly strengthened by enhancement of the didactic teaching program and through the strategic addition of faculty mentors in this area. The greatest strengths of this training program have always been Columbia's faculty and the research environment within the Department of Psychiatry and beyond. This remains the case today, and the core of the training program has been strengthened by the changes in the current application.