Pathophysiology of Human Blood Cells

Boston Children'S Hospital, Boston MA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The T32 Pathophysiology of Human Blood Cells, now in its 42nd year of funding, is seeking renewal to continue a long-standing focus on training physician-scientists in pediatric Hematology/Oncology. The object of the training program is to provide robust, PhD-post-doctoral level research experiences and scholarly research training in Hematology/Oncology, so as to render trainees success at transition to independent careers making substantive contributions to biomedical research, both basic and translational. The program has continued the long-standing overall philosophy that training of physician-scientists requires an extended protected mentorship runway. The training program continues to grow in this last cycle with addition of multiple new faculty and focus on enhancing our pipeline of trainees. In addition to maintaining the program’s strengths in hematopoietic stem cell biology, hematopoiesis, neutrophil biology/innate immunity, red cell biology/hemoglobin expression and an overall emphasis in translational research, we have expanded our efforts in areas of gene therapy and stem cell transplant. In addition, programs are in place to target undergraduate science classes and MD/PhD students at Harvard Medical School/MIT to enhance the future pipeline of trainees coming to this T32. The 60+ mentoring faculty on this training grant include outstanding scientists many with exemplary publication and training records. In spite of pressures on the NIH budget, research funds to the Division currently total $85.8 M in direct costs per year including 104 NIH grants. The training faculty is highly collaborative, and Boston Children’s Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Whitehead, Broad and Koch Institutes at MIT, Harvard, and the Harvard Catalyst (CTSA) academic environments provide stellar opportunities for formal coursework and a myriad of scientific seminars and lectures. Of those applying for positions to this program in the current 5-year cycle, 9% were accepted. There are formal processes in place for regular trainee and faculty feedback. Success of trainees as judged by success in obtaining NIH training grants and independent faculty positions is outstanding and nearly 100% of entering fellows remain in Hematology/ Oncology in scientific careers. Indeed, graduates of this training program continue to fill important leadership roles in the field with significant numbers serving in academic or pharmaceutical/ biotech leadership positions. This success continues in the latest funded cycle. As a more proximate measure of success of our training and mentorship and as stated in the narrative section, under the guidance of Dr. R Orkin, in the past ~15 years, 44 K08 applications were submitted by our trainees. Of those with definitive funding decisions 87% were funded and 6 (1 Ao and 5 A1) await word of funding. Success rates for other career awards are as follows: K01s (12/17, 71% funded), K07s (2/2; 100%), K23s (1/4, 25% funded), K99s (17/25; 68% funded). Here we request renewal with funding for 11 training slots.