Cardiovascular Epidemiology Institutional Training

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: This application is for a five-year renewal (Years 51-55) of an institutional training grant in cardiovascular disease epidemiology. The aims of the training program are 1) to recruit diverse and talented scientists to receive training in cardiovascular disease epidemiology; 2) to promote formal training in epidemiology and clinical research methods to help trainees develop into independent investigators in cardiovascular epidemiology; and 3) to guide trainees towards significant research questions and bring together diverse multi- disciplinary teams to facilitate mentored research in the field of cardiovascular disease epidemiology. The proposed training program has evolved in response to the changing needs of cardiovascular epidemiology and science. The program is based in the Department of Epidemiology and benefits from close ties with other population and clinical departments at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and several affiliated community‐ based research units. The 46 trainees in the past 10 years (Years 40-49) have been extremely successful. Nearly all trainees are in research careers (20 in an academic setting and 9 are in government or industry) with 16 still training, 1 primarily teaching, and 0 not involved in any research or teaching. To date, these trainees have co-authored a total of 2,089 (1,856 unique) publications. Years to degree completion is on target (mean 3.9 years for pre-doctoral fellows and 2 years for Master’s degree trainees) and productivity is high: median publications for pre-doctoral and post-doctoral trainees of 25 and 33, respectively. Of the total publications, 303 were cited >50 times, including 80 with a trainee as first author. During their training, pre‐doctoral trainees enroll in the PhD program. Post‐doctoral trainees without a previous degree in epidemiology will enroll in a 2‐ year thesis-bearing master's degree program. Trainees will participate in 1) a structured schedule of didactic course work, 2) journal club, seminar series, and a program‐specific research‐in‐progress meeting, 3) hands‐ on analysis of an existing data set; and 4) mentored thesis research project. A Program Director, a Co-director, and 24 Core Faculty Preceptors serve as mentors. We also have 20 Affiliate Faculty who provide complementary expertise and may serve as co-authors on manuscripts and augment training opportunities. The program will maintain a focus on excellence, multi‐disciplinary collaboration, innovation, and life‐long learning.