Multi-Disciplinary Research Training in Respiratory Disease

University Of Colorado Denver, Aurora CO

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The overall goal of the Colorado Multidisciplinary Research Training Program in Pulmonary Disease (Colorado Training Program, CTP) is to train exceptional post-doctoral research Trainees for leadership in research careers in pulmonary and critical care medicine (PCCM). The CTP is requesting 12 post- doctoral training positions, and is organized around five disease-specific research themes that cover the breadth of pulmonary medicine, as well as the NHLBI Programmatic Emphasis on research areas/competencies. Each theme is supported by clinical and scientific academic expertise, innovative and cutting-edge methodology, and outstanding individual and team mentorship. This career development training is achieved through seamless integration with our ACGME-accredited Colorado Pulmonary Fellowship Program, engagement of PhDs during the post-doctoral phase of their training who are pursuing careers in lung health and disease, and an outstanding mentoring experience featuring 73 mentors (representing 3 Schools and 9 Departments) with a broad range of disease-specific research expertise and a wide array of cutting-edge and exciting approaches to research training. The Research Advisory Committees, our weekly Research in Progress conferences, the annual Aspen Conference, and our regular Research Retreats serve to unify our mentors and expose our Trainees to a broader multidisciplinary research training experience. We also provide a unique program in academic coaching to support mentees to navigate the culture of academia and to sustain a research career. The vision of our training program is to: • Train the next generation of highly skilled and innovative scientific leaders in PCCM • Provide cutting-edge research training opportunities in broad areas of lung health and disease • Ensure access to a wide range of pioneering methodology/technology to enrich the training experience • Achieve the highest standard of excellence for mentorship and research training • Foster values that sustain and enrich research careers in PCCM • Provide a training environment that empowers individual growth within team settings and a culture that promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and personal wellness To achieve this vision, the CTP has undergone a number of fundamental changes including: • Appointed Drs. Burnham and Maier as MPIs to improve access to research opportunities offered by the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI) and Colorado School of Public Health • Modified the schedule for MD Trainees to enhance/consolidate their research time and create opportunities for 1-2 research rotations prior to finalizing their mentored research plan • Established clear expectations for Trainees and mentors with well-defined milestones • Advanced team science and multidisciplinary research as a programmatic priority